The road is by Challans, if we wish to be there quickly." "Ah!" Count Hannibal said.

In the darkness it was impossible to see his face or mark how he took it.

"But being there, I have few men." "I have forty will come at call," she cried with pride.

"A word to them, and in four hours or a little more--" "They would outnumber mine by four to one," Count Hannibal answered coldly, dryly, in a voice like ice-water flung in their faces.

"Thank you, Madame; I understand.