hree miles, sir," replied Anthony.

"If you were going there, what road would you take?"

"The high road which passes Brechy."

"You would not go across the marsh?"

"Certainly not."

"Why not?"

"Because the Seille is out of its banks, and the ditches are full of
water."

"Is not the way much shorter through the forest?"

"Yes, the way is shorter; but it would take more time. The paths are
very indistinct, and overgrown with briers."

The commonwealth attorney could hardly conceal his disappointment.
Anthony's answers seemed to become worse and worse.

"Now," said the magistrate again, "if fire should break out at
Valpinson, would you see it from here?"

"I think not, sir. There are hills and tall woods between."

"Can you hear the Brechy bells from here?"

"When the wind is north, yes, sir."

"And last night, how was it?"

"The wind was from the west, as it always is when we have a storm."

"So that you have heard nothing? You do not know what a terrible
calamity"--

"A calamity? I do not understand you, sir."

This conversation had taken place in the court-yard: and at this moment
there appeared two gendarmes on horseback, whom M. Galpin had sent for
just before he left Valpinson.

When old Anthony saw them, he exclaimed,--

"Great God! what is the meaning of this? I must wake master."

The magistrate stopped him, saying harshly,--

"Not a step! Don't say a word!"

And pointing out Ribot to the gendarmes, he said,--

"Keep that lad under your eyes, and let him have no communication with
anybody."

Then, turning again to Anthony, he said,--

"Now show us to M. de Boiscoran's bedroom."

VIII.

In spite of its grand feudal air, the chateau at Boiscoran was, after
all, little more than a bachelor's modest home, and in a very bad state
of preservation. Of the eighty or a hundred rooms which it contained,
hardly more than eight or ten were furnished, and this only in the
simplest possible manner,--a sitting-room, a dining-room, a few
guest-chambers: this was all M. de Boiscoran required during his rare
visits to the place. He himself used in the second story a small room,
the door of which opened upon the great staircase.

When they reached this door, guided by old Anthony, the magistrate said
to the servant,--

"Knock!"

The man obeyed: and immediately a youthful, hearty voice replied from
within,--

"Who is there?"

"It is I," said the faithful servant. "I should like"--