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316 "I cannot consent."

"It will be too late to do anything if we dally in talking," said Dubois.

"We will go together, but I will change my burgher's dress for a monk's," and he hurried from the room.

"I am only a monk outwardly, and it may be well to have an officer among the party," said Dubois, slipping off his gabardine and revealing his uniform under it.

"It's too late," said Pascal, who was at the window as Gerard re-entered. "The soldiers are already in the street. The chance is gone."

Gerard looked very grave and Dubois smothered an oath in his moustache.

"We are going to pay a heavy price for our mistake in leaving Malincourt," exclaimed Gerard. "Still, we can but make the attempt. Come, Gabrielle."

"Monsieur, may I suggest?" put in Lucette hurriedly. "There is a chance that these searchers may not know Gabrielle. Let M. Pascal and me remain here to wait for them, playing your parts, while you hide somewhere in the house. When they find us, they may be satisfied to search no further than this room, and you will be free to leave when they have gone. If M. Pascal will?"

"It is well suggested," declared Pascal. "If they will not know you, mademoiselle," he added, with a quizzing glance.

"I do not know all the officers, monsieur," she retorted.

Gerard and Gabrielle both protested against the plan on the ground of its danger to Lucette; but this was overborne, and the two were left alone, while Gerard, Gabrielle and Dubois went with Madame Babillon to an upper part of the house.

"Rather reversing the due order, this, Lucette," said Pascal lightly.

"Due order?"