ecome of that dangerous individual?

The police had gone to the spot where Murray told them he had left the
coiner senseless, and there they certainly found traces of a severe
struggle, but Lenoir had disappeared.

The peasant also had done his duty as a French citizen by reporting the
affair to the first gendarme he met on his road.

But though Marseilles was thoroughly searched, no trace of the man
could be found, either in the town or the surrounding rural districts.

"There's one consolation, guv'nor," observed Chivey, "he won't dare
show his ugly mug in Marseilles any more, so you're safe enough here."

"He's desperate enough for any thing."

"It's galleys for life if he's collared, and he knows it well enough."

"Galleys!--ugh!"

And Herbert Murray gave a convulsive shudder, in which he was
sympathetically joined by Chivey.

"Ain't it 'orrid to see them poor devils chained to the oars, and the
hoverseer a walkin' up and down with his whip, a-lashin' 'em?" said
Chivey.

"'Tis, indeed."

Murray again paused and shuddered, but after a moment, he continued--

"But it would be jolly, though, to see Harkaway and his friends at it."

"Crikey! and wouldn't I jest like to see that old beast of a Mole
pulling away on his stumps. D'ye think they'll all get it?" asked
Chivey.

"Yes, unless they manage to communicate with their friends or the
consul."

"Then I had better just stroll up and see if our old pal the gaoler has
stopped any more letters."

"Yes, go by all means, for if we don't call for them, he's likely
enough to give them up to----"

Murray hesitated, but Chivey instantly supplied the word.

"The rightful owners, you mean, guv'nor."

"Cut away!" sharply exclaimed Murray, who was annoyed at the liberties
taken by his quondam servant.

Chivey strolled up towards the prison, and was just in time to meet the
gaoler coming out.

"Mornin', mossoo," he said, with a familiar nod, "rather warm, ain't
it? What d'ye say to a bottle of wine jest to wash the dust out o' yer
throat?"

The Frenchman did not comprehend a fourth part of this speech, but he
understood that he was to partake of a bottle of wine, and at once
signified his willingness.

"Vid moosh plaisir, m'sieu."

And he led the way to a cabaret where they sold his favourite wine.

"Now have you got any letters for me?" said Chivey, when they were
comfortably seated at a table, remote from the few other customers, who
were engaged i