e it and to rudely secure it by an improvised
pin, they had been compelled to proceed at a walk for some fifteen miles
of the journey, which accounted for the lateness of their arrival at
Soignies. They had remained at the Auberge des Postes until the wheel
had been properly mended, and it was not more than an hour since they
had resumed their journey along the road to Liege.

"But did both the citoyennes depart?" cried La Boulaye, in amazement,
and upon receiving an affirmative reply it at once entered his mind that
the Marquise must have influenced her daughter to that end--perhaps
even employed force.

"Did there appear to be any signs of disagreement between them?" was his
next question.

"No, Citizen, I observed nothing. They seemed in perfect accord."

"The younger one did not by any chance inquire of you whether it would
be possible to hire a berline?" asked Caron desperately.

"No," the landlord answered him, with wondering eyes. "She appeared as
anxious as her mother for the repairing of the coach in which they came,
that they might again depart in it."

La Boulaye stood a moment in thought, his brows drawn together, his
breathing seeming suspended, for into his soul a suspicion had of a
sudden been thrust--a hideous suspicion. Abruptly he drew himself up
to the full of his active figure, and threw back his head, his resolve
taken.

"Can I have fresh horses at once?" he inquired. "I need eight."

The landlord thoughtfully scratched his head.

"You can have two at once, and the other six in a half-hour."

"Very well," he answered. "Saddle me one at once, and have the other
seven ready for my men as soon as possible."

And whilst the host sent the ostler to execute the order, Caron called
for a cup of wine and a crust of bread. Munching his crust he entered
the common-room where his men were at table with a steaming ragout
before them.

"Garin," he said to the corporal, "in a half-hour the landlord will
be able to provide you with fresh horses. You will set out at once to
follow me along the road to Liege. I am starting immediately."

Garin, with the easy familiarity of the Republican soldier, bade him
take some thought of his exhausted condition, and snatch at least the
half-hour's rest that was to be theirs. But La Boulaye was out of the
room before he had finished. A couple of minutes later they heard a
clatter of departing hoofs, and La Boulaye was gone along the road too
Liege in pursuit of t