Picard nodded.  His was the soul of loyalty.

“It is right,” he said.  “It is here that Monsieur Philip expects to find her and we can guard her.”

John liked the inclusive “we.”

“And now to work, Antoine and Suzanne,” he said.  “We’ve agreed that we can’t spend the night in the cathedral.  Perhaps there is no better refuge so far as the storm is concerned, but a pew is not a good bed, except for hardened old soldiers like you and me, Antoine.”

“No, Mr. Scott, it is not.”

“Then I suggest that we leave Mademoiselle Lannes and Suzanne here while we look for shelter.”

But Julie would not agree.  They must all go out together.  What was a little snow?  Should a Lannes mind it?  She drew her great red cloak more closely around her and led the way from the choir to the bronze doors, the others following in silence.

John felt that Julie had shown much decision and firmness.  When she had declared that she would not remain in the church her tone and manner were wonderfully like those of her brother Philip.  She was altogether worthy of the name of Lannes, and the fact appealed strongly to young Scott, who liked strength and courage.

When they were outside they saw that the storm had increased.  The snow was driving so thickly that they could not see fifty yards ahead, and their quest of a house for the night would be difficult.  But the lofty steeple of the church with its protecting cross still towered above them and John felt, if their search was vain, that the cathedral would always be there to shelter them.  Doubtless the provident Picard also had provisions in the motor.

“I believe you told me your machine was behind the cathedral, Antoine,” he said.  “We ought first to take a look at it, and see that it’s all right.”

“That’s very true, sir,” replied Picard.  “Shall we not go there and see it, Mademoiselle Julie?”

She nodded and they passed to the rear of the cathedral, where the machine stood under a shed.  It was a small limousine with a powerful body, and John, although knowing little of automobiles, liked its looks.

“How about the gasoline supply?” he asked Picard.

“Enough, sir, for a long journey.”

“You’ve brought food?”

“Food and wine both, sir, under the seats.”

“That’s very good, but I knew you’d be far-seeing, Picard.  If we don’t find a good place we can take the supplies and return to the cathedral.”

“But we will find lodgings, Sir Jean the Scott,” said Julie, catching the trick of the name from her brother.  “I command you to lead the way and discover them.”

Her dark red cloak was now white with the driven snow, and her face, rosy with the cold, looked from a dark red hood, also turned white.  John saw that her eyes laughed.  He realized suddenly that she felt neither fear nor apprehension.  He had discovered a new quality, the same heroic soul that her brother Philip had, the unquenchable courage of the great marshal.  He realized that she found a certain enjoyment in the situation, that the spirit of adventure was upon her.  His own pulses leaped and his soul responded.