But as to crossing the one or passing the other, I reckon it a thing impossible." "I shall not wait until night," Tignonville answered curtly, a ring of defiance in his tone.

"I shall go now! I'll lie here no longer!" "Now ?" "Yes, now." "You will be mad if you do," the other replied.

He thought it the petulant outcry of youth tired of inaction; a protest, and nothing more.
He was speedily undeceived.

"Mad or not, I am going!" Tignonville retorted.

And he slid to the ground, and from the covert of the hanging fringe of hay looked warily up and down the lane.