pe's topographical
observations stood him in good stead now and saved him some moments'
consideration. The fugitive had choice of two routes. But he would
not return to the village: he might have to answer awkward questions
about M. Guillaume, his late companion, there. He would make in
another direction--presumably towards the nearest inhabited spot, where
he could look to get more rapid means of escape than his own legs
afforded. He would follow the road to the left then, down the zigzags
that must lead to the river, and to some means of crossing it. But he
had gained a good start and had the figure of an active fellow. Dieppe
risked a short cut, darted past the Cross and straight over the road,
heading down towards the river, but taking a diagonal course to the
left. His intent was to hit the road where the road hit the river, and
thus to cut off the man he pursued. His way would be shorter, but it
would be rougher too; success or failure depended on whether the
advantage or disadvantage proved the greater. As he ran, he felt for
his revolver; but he did not take it out nor did he mean to use it save
in the last resort. Captain Dieppe did not take life or maim limb
without the utmost need; though a man of war, he did not suffer from
blood fever. Besides he was a stranger in the country, with none to
answer for him; and the credentials in his breast-pocket were not of
the sort that he desired to produce for the satisfaction and
information of the local custodians of the peace.

The grassy slope was both uneven and slippery. Moreover Dieppe had not
allowed enough for the courage of the natives in the matter of
gradients. The road, in fact, belied its cautious appearance. After
three or four plausible zig-zags, it turned to rash courses and ran
headlong down to the ford--true, it had excuse in the necessity of
striking this spot--on a slope hardly less steep than that down which
the Captain himself was painfully leaping with heels stuck deep in and
body thrown well back. In the result Paul de Roustache comfortably
maintained his lead, and when he came into his pursuer's view was no
more than twenty yards from the river, the Captain being still a good
fifty from the point at which he had hoped to be stationed before Paul
came up.

"I 'm done," panted the Captain, referring both to his chances of
success and to his physical condition; and he saw with despair that
across the ford the road rose as boldly an