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240 direct, monsieur; but the road is a very open one, and I" he finished the sentence with a doubting shake of the head.

"Is there no other road?"

"Yes, monsieur, but it trebles the distance; and miladi is already overwrought."

"And the devil of it is that we don't know what we should find when we get there," said Dubois. "Mademoiselle can't tramp the city all night. I have a thought. Let me go and find out what is passing there, and smell out the chances of safety. Could the rest lie safe here, think you?" he asked Babillon.

"For the night, I should think, yes," was the reply. "But I can best go. I could get into the house and carry any message."

"You can guide me," said Dubois, "and get me a workman's blouse. It is best so," he added to Gerard. "If Pascal is there holding the house, I can gauge the chances of our getting in and arrange for him to send out to meet us. What say you?"

"I could do it all and better alone, messieurs," urged Babillon. "One can get through where two may well be stopped. And if they were to arrest me, I am known to be frequently at Malincourt. I have a daughter there in miladi's service; and if I were seen every one would deem it but natural for me to be anxious for her at such a time."

"There is wit in what he says, Dubois."

"True," he assented, and then murmured, "but there is little to please my wit in sitting inactive here."

"Shall I cry you patience, good friend? Go, Babillon, and make all speed," decided Gerard. "It will not be long now before the dawn breaks, and we must be inside the house while it is yet dark, if we are to get there at all."

"If all goes well, an hour will see me back."