in weak tones begged her hospitality.

On seeing this man, whose face was ghastly pale, and whose clothing
was torn and soiled with dust and blood, the woman rose, evidently more
surprised than alarmed.

She looked at him closely, and saw that his age, his stature, and his
features corresponded with the descriptions of Lacheneur, which had been
scattered thickly about the frontier.

"You are the conspirator they are hunting for, and for whom they promise
a reward of twenty thousand francs," she said.

Lacheneur trembled.

"Yes, I am Lacheneur," he replied, after a moment's hesitation; "I
am Lacheneur. Betray me, if you will, but in charity's name give me a
morsel of bread, and allow me to rest a little."

At the words "betray me," the young woman made a gesture of horror and
disgust.

"We betray you, sir!" said she. "Ah! you do not know the Antoines! Enter
our house, and lie down upon the bed while I prepare some refreshments
for you. When my husband comes home, we will see what can be done."

It was nearly sunset when the master of the house, a robust mountaineer,
with a frank face, returned.

On beholding the stranger seated at his fireside he turned frightfully
pale.

"Unfortunate woman!" he whispered to his wife, "do you not know that any
man who shelters this fugitive will be shot, and his house levelled to
the ground?"

Lacheneur rose with a shudder.

He had not known this. He knew the infamous reward which had been
promised to his betrayer; but he had not known the danger his presence
brought upon these worthy people. "I will go at once, sir," said he,
gently.

But the peasant placed his large hand kindly upon his guest's shoulder,
and forced him to resume his seat.

"It was not to drive you away that I said what I did," he remarked. "You
are at home, and you shall remain here until I can find some means of
insuring your safety."

The pretty peasant woman flung her arms about her husband's neck, and in
tones of the most ardent affection exclaimed: "Ah! you are a noble man,
Antoine."

He smiled, embraced her tenderly, then, pointing to the open door:

"Watch!" he said. "I feel it my duty to tell you, sir, that it will
not be easy to save you," resumed the honest peasant. "The promises of
reward have set all evil-minded people on the alert. They know that you
are in the neighborhood. A rascally innkeeper has crossed the frontier
for the express purpose of betraying your whereabouts to the Fre