ft word that if Monsieur should ask for him, to say
that he had gone in the interests of the Company."

"Very good, Baptiste. I have brought back his horse in good condition,
though somewhat tired. Rub him down with wine, and give him for two or
three days barley instead of oats. He has covered something like one
hundred miles since yesterday morning."

"Monsieur the Baron was satisfied with him?"

"Perfectly satisfied. Is the carriage ready?"

"Yes, Monsieur the Baron, all harnessed in the coach-house; the
postilion is drinking with Julien. Monsieur recommended that he should
be kept outside the house that he might not see him arrive."

"He thinks he is to take your master?"

"Yes, Monsieur the Baron. Here is my master's passport, which we used
to get the post-horses, and as my master has gone in the direction of
Bordeaux with Monsieur the Baron's passport, and as Monsieur the Baron
goes toward Geneva with my master's passport, the skein will probably
be so tangled that the police, clever as their fingers are, can't easily
unravel it."

"Unfasten the valise that is on the croup of my saddle, Baptiste, and
give it to me."

Baptiste obeyed dutifully, but the valise almost slipped from his hands.
"Ah!" said he laughing, "Monsieur the Baron did not warn me! The devil!
Monsieur the Baron has not wasted his time it seems."

"Just where you're mistaken, Baptiste! if I didn't waste all my time, I
at least lost a good deal, so I should like to be off again as soon as
possible."

"But Monsieur the Baron will breakfast?"

"I'll eat a bite, but quickly."

"Monsieur will not be delayed. It is now two, and breakfast has been
ready since ten this morning. Luckily it's a cold breakfast."

And Baptiste, in the absence of his master, did the honors of the house
to the visitor by showing him the way to the dining-room.

"Not necessary," said the visitor, "I know the way. Do you see to the
carriage; let it be close to the house with the door wide open when I
come out, so that the postilion can't see me. Here's the money to pay
him for the first relay."

And the stranger whom Baptiste had addressed as Baron handed him a
handful of notes.

"Why, Monsieur," said the servant, "you have given me enough to pay all
the way to Lyons!"

"Pay him as far as Valence, under pretext that I want to sleep, and keep
the rest for your trouble in settling the accounts."

"Shall I put the valise in the carriage-box?"

"I will do so m