"Gentlemen," he said, "I am ready to entrust myself and party to you, but put a stop to these rough fellow's brutality."
"Ground your arms," cried Hannonet.
The men obeyed but growlingly.
"Excuse me, sir," said the attorney, "but the story is about that the King is in flight and it is our duty to make sure if it is a fact."
"Make sure?" retorted Isidore. "If this carriage really conveyed his Majesty you ought to be at his feet: if it is but a private individual by what right do you stay him?"
"Sir, I am addressing you," went on Sausse, to the King. "Will you be good enough to answer me?"
"Sire, gain time," whispered Isidore: "Damas and his dragoons are somewhere near and will doubtless ride up in a trice."
The King thought this right and replied to Sausse:
"I suppose you will let us go on if our passes are correct?"
"Of course," was the reply.