o?" faltered Maurice. "What course shall we
pursue?"

Not a voice replied. It was clear that they hoped for salvation through
the priest alone.

He was lost in thought, and it was some time before he spoke.

"About an hour's walk from here," he said, at last, "beyond the Croix
d'Arcy, is the hut of a peasant upon whom I can rely. His name is
Poignot; and he was formerly in Monsieur Lacheneur's employ. With the
assistance of his three sons, he now tills quite a large farm. We must
procure a litter and carry Monsieur d'Escorval to the house of this
honest peasant."

"What, Monsieur," interrupted one of the officers, "you wish us to
procure a litter at this hour of the night, and in this neighborhood?"

"It must be done."

"But, will it not awaken suspicion?"

"Most assuredly."

"The Montaignac police will follow us."

"I am certain of it."

"The baron will be recaptured!"

"No."

The abbe spoke in the tone of a man who, by virtue of assuming all the
responsibility, feels that he has a right to be obeyed.

"When the baron has been conveyed to Poignot's house," he continued,
"one of you gentlemen will take the wounded man's place upon the litter;
the others will carry him, and the party will remain together until it
has reached Piedmontese territory. Then you will separate and pretend
to conceal yourselves, but do it in such a way that you are seen
everywhere." All present comprehended the priest's simple plan.

They were to throw the emissaries sent by the Duc de Sairmeuse and the
Marquis de Courtornieu off the track; and at the very moment it was
apparently proven that the baron was in the mountains, he would be safe
in Poignot's house.

"One word more," added the priest. "It will be necessary to make the
_cortege_ which accompanies the pretended baron resemble as much as
possible the little party that would be likely to attend Monsieur
d'Escorval. Mademoiselle Lacheneur will accompany you; Maurice also.
People know that I would not leave the baron, who is my friend; my
priestly robe would attract attention; one of you must assume it. God
will forgive this deception on account of its worthy motive."

It was now necessary to procure the litter; and the officers were
trying to decide where they should go to obtain it, when Corporal Bavois
interrupted them.

"Give yourselves no uneasiness," he remarked; "I know an inn not far
from here where I can procure one."

He departed on the run, and five minut