“Then you think if the baron escapes they will give you back your letter?”

“Most assuredly.”

“Deluded man!  As soon as the baron is safe, they will demand the life of another prisoner, with the same menaces.”

“By no means.”

“You will see.”

“I shall see nothing of the kind, for a very simple reason.  I have the letter now in my pocket.  The abbe gave it to me in exchange for my word of honor.”

M. de Courtornieu’s exclamation proved that he considered the abbe an egregious fool.

“What!” he exclaimed.  “You hold the proof, and—­But this is madness!  Burn this accursed letter by the flames of this lantern, and let the baron go where his slumbers will be undisturbed.”

Martial’s silence betrayed something like stupor.

“What! you would do this—­you?” he demanded, at last.

“Certainly—­and without the slightest hesitation.”

“Ah, well!  I cannot say that I congratulate you.”

The sneer was so apparent that M. de Courtornieu was sorely tempted to make an angry response.  But he was not a man to yield to his first impulse—­this former chamberlain under the Emperor, now become a grand prevot under the Restoration.

He reflected.  Should he, on account of a sharp word, quarrel with Martial—­with the only suitor who had pleased his daughter?  A rupture—­then he would be left without any prospect of a son-in-law!  When would Heaven send him such another?  And how furious Mlle. Blanche would be!

He concluded to swallow the bitter pill; and it was with a paternal indulgence of manner that he said: 

“You are young, my dear Martial.”

The baron was still kneeling by the partition, his ear glued to the crevices, holding his breath in an agony of suspense.

“You are only twenty, my dear Martial,” pursued the Marquis de Courtornieu; “you possess the ardent enthusiasm and generosity of youth.  Complete your undertaking; I shall interpose no obstacle; but remember that all may be discovered—­and then——­”

“Have no fears, sir,” interrupted the young marquis; “I have taken every precaution.  Did you see a single soldier in the corridor, just now?  No.  That is because my father has, at my solicitation, assembled all the officers and guards under pretext of ordering exceptional precautions.  He is talking to them now.  This gave me an opportunity to come here unobserved.  No one will see me when I go out.  Who, then, will dare suspect me of having any hand in the baron’s escape?”

“If the baron escapes, justice will demand to know who aided him.”

Martial laughed.

“If justice seeks to know, she will find a culprit of my providing.  Go now; I have told you all.  I had but one person to fear:  that was yourself.  A trusty messenger requested you to join me here.  You came; you know all, you have agreed to remain neutral.  I am tranquil.  The baron will be safe in Piedmont when the sun rises.”