"Yes; because until I have seen them I cannot tell monsieur whether he will be absolutely safe in travelling in these parts."
The traveller drew out his passport, which bore date the 28th of February.
"Here they are," he said.
The peasant took the papers, cast his eyes over them to see if the description tallied with the individual before him, refolded the papers, and returned them, saying:--
"It is all right. Monsieur can go everywhere with those papers."
"And will you find some one to guide me?"
"Yes, monsieur."
"I wish to start as soon as possible."
"I will saddle the horses at once."
The master of the house went out. In ten minutes he returned.