“Truly, monsieur,” said he, after a pause, “you place me in an unpleasant position; but since there is no way out of it, I will do as you wish.”

“A sensible answer, and there is but one thing more to add.  If you are thinking to play us false, we count three swords and six loaded pistols, and you cannot reasonably expect to escape them all.”

“Monsieur’s kindness in pointing out these things is truly touching!” exclaimed the rascal with a broad grin.

“My friend is noted for such kindness!” laughed Felix.  “And now let us get into the saddle.  Is there a spare horse in the stables, landlord?”

“Yes, monsieur,” replied our host, whose limbs were shaking through fright.

“Then we shall use it for Philippe.  Don’t be afraid; we will pay you for the hire.”

“Monsieur is very good.”

“And a word in your ear, landlord.  On our return, do not let us find that your tongue has been wagging!”

We rode out from the inn yard, Jacques and Philippe in front, Felix and I following.

“He is a clever rascal,” remarked Felix in a low voice; “he is no Huguenot.”

“If he is,” I replied laughing quietly, “’twas a quick conversion.  He was certainly a good Catholic until he had taken note of our dress.  But the fellow will guide us aright, for his own sake.  He is quick enough to calculate the chances.”

Occasionally one or other of us cantered forward and rode a short distance by his side, while Jacques watched him constantly with the eyes of a hawk.  But the fellow who was keen enough to understand that treachery would result in his own death, whatever else happened, led us very carefully across country and right away from the beaten tracks until about three o’clock in the morning, when he came to a halt on the top of a wooded hill.

“Very softly!” he whispered, “we are in the rear of the army, but there may be some sentries at hand.  When day breaks we shall see the camp almost at our feet.”

I bade Jacques lead the animals deeper into the wood, lest they should attract attention; then Felix and I lay down with the guide between us.

“So far, Philippe, you have served us well,” whispered my comrade.  “You will pocket those crowns yet!”

“Hush, monsieur; a single sound may cost us our lives.”

This was true, so we lay silent, watching for the breaking of dawn.  Little by little the night haze cleared away; the light broke through the clouds; the sun rose, lighting up first the distant hills, and presently revealing the secret of the plain beneath.  The bugles sounded; men came from their tents, rubbing their eyes still burdened with sleep, and before long all the camp was astir.

“Guns!” said Felix; “how many do you make, Edmond?”

“Six,” I replied, after a careful survey.

“I can count six, too,” he said.  “According to our spies the marshal had no guns.”