It is all important that he should arrive here tonight, for tomorrow morning we may be attacked.

Take your troopers with you." The officer and his men mounted at once, and rode off at full speed.

Leigh remained quiet until Menou and the other officers rode out from the courtyard and proceeded down the street, followed by their escort.

Then he got up, stretched himself, and walked slowly to the spot where his two comrades were awaiting him.
"I have learned what I wanted to know," he said.

"Do you both make your way back to the spot where Pierre will be awaiting us, and tell him that I am going to swim the river, a mile above the town.
He is to wait where he is until Lucien comes back from Tours--which will not be till twelve o'clock tonight, for his orders are to remain within sight of the town till six in the afternoon.