uty!"

In an instant Garin had leapt to the ground and with the others crowding
about him, their bridles over their arms and their horses in a bunch
behind them, he was bending under the dripping hedge to examine the body
that lay supine in the sodden road. A vigorous oath escaped him when he
assured himself that it was indeed La Boulaye.

"Is he dead?" cried the men in chorus.

"No--not dead" grumbled the corporal. "But there is a lump on his brow
the size of an egg, and God knows how long he has been lying here in
this bed of mud."

They had no restoratives, and the only thing was to convey him to the
nearest habitation and demand shelter. They held a short council on the
matter, and in the end Garin bade four of them take him up and carry him
in a cloak. Some two miles back they had passed a house, and thither the
corporal now bade them retrace their steps. They made an odd procession;
first went two mounted troopers leading the horses of the others, then
the four on foot, carrying the Deputy in a cloak, and lastly, Garin
riding in the rear.

In this manner they went back along the dark road, and for close upon a
half-hour--for their progress was slow--they trudged along in silence.
At last there was a short exclamation from one of the riders, as half
a mile away an illuminated window beamed invitingly. Encouraged by it,
they quickened their steps a little. But almost at the same time La
Boulaye stirred on the cloak, and the men who carried him heard him
speak. At first it was an incoherent mutter, then his words came more
distinctly.

"Hold! Where are you carrying me? Who the devil are you?"

It was Garin's voice that came instantly to reassure him. Caron essayed
to sit up, but finding it impracticable, he shortly bade his men set him
down. They halted. Garin dismounted and came to the Deputy's side, and
it was found that his condition was none so grave after all, for he was
able to stand unaided. When, however, he attempted to walk, he reeled,
and would of a certainty have fallen, but that Garin put out his arm to
support him.

"Steady there, Citizen," the corporal admonished him.

"Get my horse!" he commanded briefly.

"But, name of a name! you are not fit to ride," Garin protested.

La Boulaye, however, would listen to no reason. With the recovery of his
faculties came the consideration of how miserably Suzanne had duped him,
and of how she had dealt with him when he had overtaken her. He burned
now