aled Paul's Tyrolean headpiece
mounting the hill on the far side of the stream. Guillaume followed
it, crossed the river at the cost of wet boots, ascended the slope, and
crouched down behind a bush a few yards from the top. He had gained on
Paul, and arrived at his hiding-place in time to hear the exclamation
wrung from his precursor by the sudden sight of the barricade: from the
valley below the erection had been so hidden by bushes as to escape
notice.

"What the devil's that for?" exclaimed Paul de Roustache in a low
voice. He was not left without an answer. The watcher had cause for
the smile that spread over his face, as, peeping out, he saw a man's
figure rise from a seat and come forward. The next moment Paul was
addressed in smooth and suave tones, and in his native language, which
he had hurriedly employed in his surprised ejaculation.

"That, sir," said Dieppe, waving his hand towards the barricade, "is
erected in order to prevent intrusion. But it does n't seem to be very
successful."

"Who are you?" demanded Paul, angrily.

"I should, I think, be the one to ask that question," Dieppe answered
with a smile. "It is not, I believe, your garden?" His emphasis on
"your" came very near to an assertion of proprietorship in himself.
"Pray, sir, to what am I indebted for the honour of this meeting?" The
Captain was enjoying this unexpected encounter with his supposed
pursuer. Apparently the pursuer did not know him. Very well; he would
take advantage of that bit of stupidity on the part of the pursuer's
superior officers. It was like them to send a man who did n't know
him! "You wish to see some one in the house?" he asked, looking at
Paul's angry and puzzled face.

But Paul began to recover his coolness.

"I am indeed to blame for my intrusion," he said. "I 'm passing the
night at the inn, and tempted by the mildness of the air--"

"It is certainly very mild," agreed Dieppe.

"I strolled across the stepping-stones and up the hill. I admire the
appearance of a river by night."

"Certainly, certainly. But, sir, the river does not run in this
garden."

"Of course not, M. le Comte," said Paul, forcing a smile. "At least I
presume that I address--?"

Dieppe took off his hat, bowed, and replaced it. He had, however, much
ado not to chuckle.

"But I was led on by the sight of this remarkable structure." He
indicated the barricade again.

"There was nothing else you wished to see?"

"