and remembered nothing more. It
was natural that our suspicions should turn to this fellow Barrington
whom we had so easily outwitted at Beauvais. On this theory we asked
ourselves which way he would be likely to take mademoiselle. It did not
seem possible that they could enter Paris. We were at a loss what to
do, and indeed wasted more time in searching the country in the
neighborhood of the Lion d'Or for traces of the fugitives."

"You have certainly wasted much time," said Latour. "Tell me, what is
this man Barrington like." He had already had a description from Jacques
Sabatier, but a word-picture from another source might make the man
clearer to him. Mercier's description was even better than Sabatier's.

"Did you tell this story of the Lion d'Or at the barrier?"

"No," Mercier answered. It was evidently the answer Latour wished to
receive, and in a sense it was true. Mercier had not proclaimed at the
barrier that he had been outwitted, and no one knew what business had
taken him from Paris; but he had said that he believed an emigre in the
disguise of a market woman had entered the city that morning. "What
emigre?" he was asked. "Mademoiselle St. Clair," he had answered. The
guard said nothing, no more inclined to confess to carelessness than
Mercier was, and Mercier and Dubois had ridden on convinced that
mademoiselle was not in Paris. At the barrier his remarks might have
been taken for badinage, a sneer at the vigilance which was kept, had
not the entrance of the quarreling market woman been remembered.

"If she is in Paris, we shall find her," said Latour.

"It is more likely she had ridden back to Beauvais," said Dubois. "If
she is wise that is the way she has taken."

"Women in love are not always wise," said Latour.

"I am afraid, citizen, this unfortunate business has interfered with
your plans. I am sorry. We had managed the whole affair so
excellently." Mercier was so relieved to find Latour so calm that he was
inclined to swagger.

"Most excellently," was the answer. "I am as far from having
mademoiselle in my power as I was when you started."

"Citizen--"

"Is there need to say more?" Latour asked sharply. "I shall have other
work for you presently; see that it is accomplished better. Did you meet
Jacques Sabatier on the road this morning?"

"No, citizen. We have not seen him since he met us at the tavern
yesterday and rode to Paris for your instructions. This morning we left
the road sev