Half a mile away, two or three dots could be seen approaching across the plain.

He turned again.
"You know the road ?" he said, curtly addressing the young man.
"Perfectly.

As well as Carlat." "Then lead the way, Monsieur, with Badelon.

And spare neither whip nor spur.

There will be need of both, if we would lie warm to-night." Tignonville nodded assent and, wheeling his horse, rode to the head of the party, a faint smile playing about his mouth.