The three officers bowed their agreement with the words.

“I know not who is in power or on whom the queen chiefly relies for counsel, but should any questions be put to you, you will, I hope, be able to express the urgency of prompt action in this matter before the Spaniards have time to rally from the terrible blow that this defeat has inflicted upon them.  And now, gentlemen, a rapid and pleasant journey.  Orders were sent on last night that four sets of fresh horses should be in readiness along the road.  They are my own horses, and good ones.  Twelve troopers will accompany you; three of these will remain behind at each stage where you change, and the horses that you have used will be brought on at a more leisurely pace after you.  They will readily find out in Paris where you are lodged, and I beg that you will retain the horses as a slight proof of my goodwill.”

Then he waved his hand and went into his tent again.  The three lackeys, each holding a spare horse, were sitting in readiness for a start some fifty yards away.  After a moment’s conversation the officers rode up to them.

“You must follow us quietly,” one of them said.  “For today you can keep up with us to the end of the first stage.  Three fresh horses have been provided for us, for we ride without a stop to Paris.  Three soldiers will there take charge of the horses we ride.  When we go on you will follow quietly with the horses that you are now leading.  It will be impossible for you to keep up with us.”

Then they placed themselves at the head of their escort of dragoons, the lackeys fell in behind them, and they started at a fast pace.

“Do you know where the first relays are?” one of the officers asked the sergeant in charge of the escort, after they had ridden three or four miles.

“The first is at Rethel, monsieur, the second at Rheims, the third at Chateau-Thierry, the fourth at Meaux.”

“Then we will ride on at once.  You have your orders?”

“Yes, sir.”

Whereupon the three officers quickened their pace.  The distance to be traversed was about a hundred and thirty miles, and as they had five horses, including those they rode, each stage would average about twenty-six miles.

“Now, gentlemen,” de Penthiere said, “it seems to me that it would be a pity to founder fifteen good horses in order to gain an hour on this journey.  The queen has already received news of the victory, or at least she will receive it some time today, therefore the details we bring are not of particular importance.  It is now eight o’clock.  If we were to gallop all the way we might do it in twelve hours.  The roads in many places will be bad, and we must stop for meals at least three times; with the utmost speed we could hardly be in Paris in less than fifteen hours.  Her majesty will scarce want to read long despatches at that time, and may take it that we ourselves will need a bath and a change of garments, and the services of a barber, before we could show ourselves in court.  Had we been bearers of the original despatch, we might have gone in splashed from head to foot.  As it is, it seems to me that if we present ourselves with our papers at seven in the morning we shall have done that which is necessary.  What do you both say?”