"I will blow your brains out!" said the woman, pointing a pistol at Courtin and clicking the trigger to let him know the execution of the threat would follow promptly.
"Ah, good! I recognize you now," said Courtin. "You are Mademoiselle de Souday."
Then, without allowing his questioner time to say more, the mayor of La Logerie got off his pony.
"Very good!" said Bertha, for it was she. "Now tell me your name, and to-morrow the horse shall be sent home to you."
"No need, for I'll go with you and help you."
"You! why this sudden change?"
"Because I take it the person you want me to help is the owner of my farm."
"His name?"
"Monsieur Michel de la Logerie."
"Ah! you are one of his tenants. Then we can go to your farmhouse for concealment."