ied Leger, "they won't keep
their eyes in their pockets."

The count lost not a word of this conversation, which was held in a low
voice, but not in a whisper.

"Here I have actually found the proofs I was going down there to seek,"
he thought, looking at the fat farmer as he entered the kitchen. "But
perhaps," he added, "it is only a scheme; Moreau may not have listened
to it."

So unwilling was he to believe that his steward could lend himself to
such a conspiracy.

Pierrotin here came out to water his horses. The count, thinking that
the driver would probably breakfast with the farmer and the inn-keeper,
feared some thoughtless indiscretion.

"All these people combine against us," he thought; "it is allowable to
baffle them--Pierrotin," he said in a low voice as the man passed him,
"I promised you ten louis to keep my secret; but if you continue to
conceal my name (and remember, I shall know if you pronounce it, or make
the slightest sign that reveals it to any one, no matter who, here or at
Isle-Adam, before to-night), I will give you to-morrow morning, on your
return trip, the thousand francs you need to pay for your new coach.
Therefore, by way of precaution," added the count, striking Pierrotin,
who was pale with happiness, on the shoulder, "don't go in there to
breakfast; stay with your horses."

"Monsieur le comte, I understand you; don't be afraid! it relates to
Pere Leger, of course."

"It relates to every one," replied the count.

"Make yourself easy.--Come, hurry," said Pierrotin, a few moments later,
putting his head into the kitchen. "We are late. Pere Leger, you know
there's a hill to climb; I'm not hungry, and I'll drive on slowly; you
can soon overtake me,--it will do you good to walk a bit."

"What a hurry you are in, Pierrotin!" said the inn-keeper. "Can't you
stay and breakfast? The colonel here pays for the wine at fifty sous,
and has ordered a bottle of champagne."

"I can't. I've got a fish I must deliver by three o'clock for a great
dinner at Stors; there's no fooling with customers, or fishes, either."

"Very good," said Pere Leger to the inn-keeper. "You can harness that
horse you want to sell me into the cabriolet; we'll breakfast in peace
and overtake Pierrotin, and I can judge of the beast as we go along. We
can go three in your jolter."

To the count's surprise, Pierrotin himself rebridled the horses.
Schinner and Mistigris had walked on. Scarcely had Pierrotin overtaken
th