Now there is yourself, my servant, and I, so we shall be thirteen.
With the advantage of surprise, I think that we may calculate upon an easy victory, especially as I imagine that the men employed in the affair are not de Tulle's own retainers, but some robber band that he hired for the purpose; and these, having no special interest in the matter beyond earning the pay, are not likely to make any very determined resistance." Desmond now went back to the hotel where he had put up his horse.
He found Mike awaiting him there, and the latter was delighted when he heard the news of the arrival of the party from la Vallee.
Desmond's purse was but lightly furnished, and as he saw that the expenses might be heavy, he went to a jeweller's.
"I want to borrow fifty louis," he said, "on this ring.

It is, I imagine, worth a good deal more, since it was a present to me from the king." The jeweller examined the ring carefully.
"It is a valuable one, indeed, sir," he said, "and I would willingly lend you double as much upon it." "Well, we will say seventy-five, then," Desmond said.

"I think that will be ample for my purpose." Having received the money, he returned to the inn, accompanied by Mike; and went round to the various stables in the town, where he hired fifteen horses.

These were to be taken to the Soleil, at three in the morning, and the men who brought them were to take back the tired horses as security.
At that hour, the party started, and after a ride of some thirty-five miles reached Clermont, where they stabled the horses for six hours.

Late that evening they arrived at Aubusson, having accomplished a journey of some seventy miles.