reached Father Poignot's house.

Maurice and Corporal Bavois were disguised as peasants.

The old soldier had made one sacrifice that drew tears from his eyes; he
had shaved off his mustache.

CHAPTER XXXVII

When Abbe Midon and Martial de Sairmeuse held their conference, to
discuss and to decide upon the arrangements for the Baron d'Escorval's
escape, a difficulty presented itself which threatened to break off the
negotiation.

"Return my letter," said Martial, "and I will save the baron."

"Save the baron," replied the abbe, "and your letter shall be returned."

But Martial's was one of those natures which become exasperated by the
least shadow of suspicion.

The idea that anyone should suppose him influenced by threats, when in
reality, he had yielded only to Marie-Anne's tears, angered him beyond
endurance.

"These are my last words, Monsieur," he said, emphatically. "Restore
to me, now, this instant, the letter which was obtained from me by
Chanlouineau's ruse, and I swear to you, by the honor of my name, that
all which it is possible for any human being to do to save the baron, I
will do. If you distrust my word, good-evening."

The situation was desperate, the danger imminent, the time limited;
Martial's tone betrayed an inflexible determination.

The abbe could not hesitate. He drew the letter from his pocket and
handing it to Martial:

"Here it is, Monsieur," he said, solemnly, "remember that you have
pledged the honor of your name."

"I will remember it, Monsieur le Cure. Go and obtain the ropes."

The abbe's sorrow and amazement were intense, when, after the baron's
terrible fall, Maurice announced that the cord had been cut. And yet he
could not make up his mind that Martial was guilty of the execrable act.
It betrayed a depth of duplicity and hypocrisy which is rarely found
in men under twenty-five years of age. But no one suspected his secret
thoughts. It was with the most unalterable _sang-froid_ that he dressed
the baron's wounds and made arrangements for the flight. Not until he
saw M. d'Escorval installed in Poignot's house did he breathe freely.

The fact that the baron had been able to endure the journey, proved
that in this poor maimed body remained a power of vitality for which the
priest had not dared to hope.

Some way must now be discovered to procure the surgical instruments and
the remedies which the condition of the wounded man demanded.

But where and how could he pr