"Gentlemen," suggested the mayor, "let us proceed to Villers Cotterets where we will have an explanation."
The procession moved slowly past Catherine and her little boy, and was going down the road, when the rear guards heard a voice behind them. It was a call and they turned.
A man on a horse was riding from the side of Paris.
Part of the rider's face was covered with black bandages; he waved his hat in his hand and signalled that he wanted the party to stop.
Pitou had turned like the others.
"Why, it is Billet," he said, "good! I should not like to be in Father Fortier's skin."
At the name everybody halted. He advanced rapidly and as he neared all were able to recognize him as Pitou had done.
On reaching the head of the line, Billet jumped off his horse, threw the bridle on its neck, and, after saying a lusty: "Good day and thank ye, citizens!" he took his proper place which Pitou had in his absence held to lead the mourners.
A stable boy took away the horse.