"Sir, we found her lying on a heap of dead leaves in the most solitary depths of the forest," said the soldier.
"She cursed us for not leaving her to die in peace. She was ill, of that there was no doubt, and we carried her to the charcoal-burners' hut. She is still alive, but Briant thought it would not do to bring her to Vayenne. The journey would probably kill her."
"We will come to her to-morrow," said Herrick. "Hasten back at once, and tell Pierre Briant to treat her well, and keep her alive."
The man saluted, and went out.
"So we are not contented with the difficulties we have, friend Roger, but go quickly to raise up others," said Jean.
"We try to be honest," was the careless answer, "but it's a difficult world to be honest in."
"Ay; even our friends stand in the way," said the dwarf. "You'll have to choose between your friends and honesty some day."
"I am going to try and satisfy both." And the dwarf laughed as Herrick sent for de Bornais and Lemasle.
They entered the room together, Lemasle expecting orders that had been long waited for, de Bornais a little disturbed in his mind, as was natural to a man holding such a secret as he did.
"It is time that the threatened danger on the frontier should be brought to a definite issue," said Herrick. "Lemasle, we march to-night. De Bornais, we leave the city in your charge. We must keep what men are necessary to defend the castle and the town, but as few as possible must remain. We shall have need of all the men we can command. Arrange it with Captain Lemasle. At the first sight of riot in the city, deal firmly with it, de Bornais. The men who would plot and rise against us when their country's freedom is at stake, deserve little mercy."