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Rh "None of your lies for me, thank you. Speak out now," and Antoine made a step toward him and raised his weapon.

As the sword flashed in the sunlight, Lucette shrank back as if terror-stricken and gave a loud scream. At the sound some half-dozen soldiers came running up from among the trees.

"Ah, messieurs, messieurs, help, help! Stop them, or there will be bloodshed," cried Lucette.

"What does this mean?" asked one of the soldiers.

"Who are you?" said Antoine, looking at them in surprise.

"We're guarding the place for the Governor," was the reply. "What's the trouble?"

"Nothing that concerns you. Go your way," he answered angrily.

"Not so fast, my dunghill cock. Put up that weapon and come to the house. And you, too, mistress, if you please."

"Don't you dare to interfere with me," protested Antoine.

"Yes, we'd better go to the house," said Dauban, secretly rejoicing at the interruption.

"Go you on with mademoiselle, then," said the soldier, "and do you come with me, monsieur," and at a sign from him three of the men closed round Antoine, and made it perfectly clear that they meant to use force if necessary.

At that moment Lucette turned and smiled.

"You would have used me as a decoy, monsieur? Come then to the house and we will see how it can be best done."

With a great oath in his mortification and bewilderment, he sheathed his sword and seeing resistance was useless, marched on between the soldiers.