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234 round a party from the eastern gate to cut us off. But if you wish it, I am willing."

"When the disease calls for it, only a coward shrinks from the knife," said Gerard. "We must make the attempt and leave the issue to Heaven."

"You had best wait here, monsieur, while I make such preparations as I can. I may be away some time," said Babillon, and he hastily outlined his plan.

Dubois and Pierre were brought into the house and Babillon left. Gerard explained the nature of the desperate position to Dubois, and the three men discussed it anxiously with many secret misgivings, while Gabrielle went to Babillon's wife, Gerard urging her to seek rest.

"I doubt we should do better to seek refuge at Malincourt," was Dubois' judgment. "This is a scheme for men, and not for a dainty girl like Mademoiselle de Malincourt."

"We can but try it," was Gerard's reply.

Babillon was absent so long that all began to grow uneasy; but when he came he explained that he had had much to do, and he brought less cheerless news.

"I have been to the spot, monsieur, and found, as I hoped, that it is scarcely watched at all. I have got help, too. A man on whom I can rely as on myself, a fisherman, has his boat on the other bank of the river some distance from the spot, and he will help us. He scaled the wall while I was by and swam the river without being seen, and he will have his boat moored ready for us right under the place where we shall leave. I hope now that we shall win the way out."

"Are there many soldiers abroad?" asked Dubois.

"Yes, monsieur, search parties, I learnt, hunting for some of your prisoners, friend Pierre, who have escaped from the Castle. But they will not trouble us," answered Babillon. "I can lead you by ways they will never suspect. Have no fear on that score."