The movement gave me instantly a thought of his purpose, and, unnoticed, I loosened the pistol-belt about my waist and silently dropped it upon the platform.

Whatever desperate chance he might choose to take, I was determined now to equal.
"Doth the water of the river come to the very foot of these logs ?" he asked, unable to determine in the darkness.
"No, Monsieur, the earth slopes downward for some feet, yet the current is at this bank, and gives much depth of water at the shore." "But of what width is the strip of earth between ?" "Perhaps the length of a tall man." "Saint Guise! 'tis well I thought to ask!" he explained jauntily.

"And now, Mademoiselle, if you will but kindly hold this coat and sword, I shall strive to show you how highly I value the prize offered, and what a French gentleman can do for love." I fully grasped his purpose now, and even as he turned toward her, holding out the valuables he hesitated to lose, I scaled the low barrier in my front, planted my feet firmly between the pointed stakes, and sprang boldly into the darkness..