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242 "But it might lead to violence and perhaps to bloodshed," said Gabrielle. "I would not have that on my account."

"By your leave, I would rather return," repeated Babillon.

"How shall we thank you?" asked Gerard.

"Miladi's safety is enough reward for any Morvaix man, my lord," he answered sturdily, and with that he turned and went.

"Such a fellow changes one's judgment of the men here," declared Dubois.

"Ah, monsieur, we have many such men, true as steel to their friends and honest as the daylight," replied Gabrielle warmly, as they hurried on to the house.

There was much to be explained on both sides, and when Gerard had told Pascal briefly how things had gone with them, he questioned him as to his doings.

"It's a wonder we were not trapped at the Castle. But no one seems to have looked for an escape, and we had very little difficulty in gaining admission to the courtyard. We were taken for a party of the new troops. Had you come, we should have got away without suspicion, for I had the sentries safe. But when I saw the rope ladder pulled up back to the cell, I knew something must have miscarried, and despatched one of the men to those whom I had in waiting outside the walls, telling them to creep as close as they dared."

"I see it," exclaimed Dubois.

"Yes, it saved us from capture. We were waiting in the shadow of the wall, with a growing impatience I cannot describe, when the fresh guard turned out and came on us. The officer at first mistook us for his own men and was more angry than suspicious; but he soon saw something was amiss and was for arresting the whole of us there and then. There was nothing for it but to rush through him. They fired a volley for assistance and