A few moments later he was in Tardivet's bedchamber, vigorously shaking the sleeping Captain.
"Up, Charlot! Awake!" he roared in the man's ear.
"What o'clock ?" he asked with a yawn.

Then a sudden groan escaped him, and he put his hand to his head.

"Thousand devils!" he swore, "what a headache!" But La Boulaye was not there on any mission of sympathy, nor did he waste words in conveying his news.
"The coach is gone," he announced emphatically.
"Coach?
What coach ?" asked the Captain, knitting his brows.
"What coach ?" echoed La Boulaye testily.

"How many coaches were there?
Why, the Bellecour coach; the coach with the treasure." At that Charlot grew very wide-awake.

He forgot his headache and his interest in the time of day.
"Gone ?" he bellowed.