heir bayonets all communication between the subterranean passage and
the quarry.

Roland, at the head of twenty men, was to inclose the woods in a
semicircle, drawing in upon it until the two ends should meet at the
grotto of Ceyzeriat. The first movement of the party was to be made at
nine o'clock, in conjunction with the captain of the gendarmerie.

We have seen, from what Morgan told Amelie, the nature of the present
intentions of the Companions of Jehu. The news brought from Mittau and
from Brittany had put them at ease. Each man felt that he was free, and,
knowing that the struggle had been a hopeless one, he rejoiced in his
liberty.

There was therefore a full meeting at the grotto of Ceyzeriat, almost
a fete. At twelve o'clock the Companions of Jehu were to separate, and
each one, according to his facilities, was to cross the frontier and
leave France.

We know how their leader employed his last moments. The others, who had
not the same ties of the heart, were supping together in the broad open
space of the quarry, brilliantly illuminated--a feast of separation and
farewell; for, once out of France, the Vendee and Brittany pacificated,
Conde's army destroyed, who knew when and where they should meet again
in foreign lands.

Suddenly the report of a shot fell upon their ears.

Every man sprang to his feet as if moved by an electric shock. A second
shot, and then through the depths of the quarry rang the cry, quivering
on the wings of the bird of ill-omen, "To arms!"

To the Companions of Jehu, subjected to all the vicissitudes of life of
an outlaw, the occasional rest they snatched was never that of peace.
Pistols, daggers, carbines, were ever near at hand. At the cry, given
no doubt by the sentinel, each man sprang to his weapons and stood with
panting breast and strained ears, waiting.

In the midst of the silence a step as rapid as well could be in the
darkness was heard. Then, within the circle of light thrown by the
torches and candles, a man appeared.

"To arms!" he cried again, "we are attacked!"

The two shots the Companions of Jehu had heard were from the
double-barrelled gun of the sentry. It was he who now appeared, his
smoking gun in his hand.

"Where is Morgan?" cried twenty voices.

"Absent," replied Montbar; "consequently I command. Put out the lights
and retreat to the church. A fight is useless now. It would only be
waste of blood."

He was obeyed with an alacrity that showed that