Mike fell in with the escort, behind which also rode the body servant of the duke, and the two cavalry men who were the servants of his officers.
Once beyond the limits of the town, the party broke into a trot.
The duke rode on ahead, evidently in deep thought, and the five officers followed in a group.
"I see, messieurs," d'Eyncourt said, "that only one of you has brought a servant with him." "We only arrived in Paris a week ago," O'Neil said.

"Our own regiment had left, and we did not care to ask for two soldiers from another regiment, as these might have turned out badly.

We thought it better, therefore, to delay until we joined the army, and wait till we could obtain a couple of good men from one of the cavalry regiments there.

As it is, Monsieur Kennedy's servant can look after the three of us, and, I have no doubt, two of the soldiers of the escort will not object to earn a few livres by looking after our horses on the way." "I think you are right," the other said.

"If one gets a good man, a soldier servant is invaluable.