So," thought I, "there is, then, something astir after all. These
precautions all indicate minute and accurate information; and now to
perform my part." Just at that instant I perceived at my feet a small
note, which apparently had fallen from the envelope as I opened it. I
took it up. It was addressed: "Sous-Lieutenant Burke," with the words
"in haste" written in the corner. Tearing it open at once, I read the
following:--

All is discovered; Pichegru arrested; Moreau at the
Temple. A party have left this to capture the others at the
Chateau d'Ancre; they cannot be there before midnight;
you may then yet be in time to save H. de B., who is among
them. Not an instant must be lost.

There was no signature to this strange epistle, but I knew at once
from whom it came. Marie alone could venture on such a step to save her
lover. My own determination was taken at once; should my head be on
it, I 'd do her bidding. While I sent for the sergeant to give him the
orders of the colonel, I directed my servant to bring round my horse
to the door as lightly equipped as possible, and, save the holsters,
nothing of his usual accoutrements. Meanwhile I prepared myself for the
road by loading my pistols and fastening on my sword. The commission,
too, which De Beauvais had left behind, I did not forget, but taking it
from my desk, I placed it safely in my bosom. Nor was the brief billet
omitted, which, having read and re-read, I placed in the lining of my
cap for safety. One difficulty still presented itself: where was the
chateau, and how in the darkness of a winter's night should I find it?
I just then remembered that my troop sergeant, a sharp, intelligent
fellow, had been for some weeks past engaged in procuring forage about
the neighborhood, for several miles round. I sent for him at once and
asked him if he knew it.

"Yes, lieutenant; perfectly. It was an old-seigneurie once; and though
much dismantled, has a look of respectability still about it. I 've
often been there to buy corn; but the gruff old farmer, they say, hates
the military, and it 's not easy to get him to deal with us at all."

"What's the distance from here?"

"Two leagues and a half, almost three; indeed you may count it as much,
the road is so bad."

"Now then for the way. Describe it; be as brief as you can."

"You know the cross on the high road beyond Ypres?"

"I do. Proceed."

"Passing the cross and the little shrine, go for