’Yet he is an absolutely honest man, which is no very common thing in these days,’ said he.  ’He is one of those who, at the outbreak of the Revolution, embraced it with the whole strength of his simple nature.  He believed what the writers and the speakers told him, and he was convinced that, after a little disturbance and a few necessary executions, France was to become a heaven upon earth, the centre of peace and comfort and brotherly love.  A good many people got those fine ideas into their heads, but the heads have mostly dropped into the sawdust-basket by this time.  Toussac was true to them, and when instead of peace he found war, instead of comfort a grinding poverty, and instead of equality an Empire, it drove him mad.  He became the fierce creature you see, with the one idea of devoting his huge body and giant’s strength to the destruction of those who had interfered with his ideal.  He is fearless, persevering, and implacable.  I have no doubt at all that he will kill me for the part that I have played to-night.’

It was in the calmest voice that my companion uttered the remark, and it made me understand that it was no boast when he said there was more courage needed to carry on his unsavoury trade than to play the part of a beau sabreur like Lasalle.  He paused a little, and then went on as if speaking to himself.

‘Yes,’ said he, ’I missed my chance.  I certainly ought to have shot him when he was struggling with the hound.  But if I had only wounded him he would have torn me into bits like an over-boiled pullet, so perhaps it is as well as it is.’

We had left the salt-marsh behind us, and for some time I had felt the soft springy turf of the downland beneath my feet, and our path had risen and dipped over the curves of the low coast hills.  In spite of the darkness my companion walked with great assurance, never hesitating for an instant, and keeping up a stiff pace which was welcome to me in my sodden and benumbed condition.  I had been so young when I left my native place that it is doubtful whether, even in daylight, I should have recognised the countryside, but now in the darkness, half stupefied by my adventures, I could not form the least idea as to where we were or what we were making for.  A certain recklessness had taken possession of me, and I cared little where I went as long as I could gain the rest and shelter of which I stood in need.

I do not know how long we had walked; I only know that I had dozed and woke and dozed again whilst still automatically keeping pace with my comrade, when I was at last aroused by his coming to a dead stop.  The rain had ceased, and although the moon was still obscured, the heavens had cleared somewhat, and I could see for a little distance in every direction.  A huge white basin gaped in front of us, and I made out that it was a deserted chalk quarry, with brambles and ferns growing thickly all round the edges.  My companion, after a stealthy glance round to make sure that no one was observing us, picked his way amongst the scattered clumps of bushes until he reached the wall of chalk.  This he skirted for some distance, squeezing between the cliff and the brambles until he came at last to a spot where all further progress appeared to be impossible.