"Cauvignac, you may take my advice or not, but if I were in your place I would make for the breach in the wall."
"Ferguzon, my friend, your natural perspicacity plays you false. Didn't you notice the orders given by yonder gentleman in black, who has the expression of a fox when he laughs, and of a badger when he doesn't laugh? Ferguzon, the breach is guarded, and to make for the breach is to indicate a purpose to go out as we came in."
"But if that's the case, what is to become of us?"
"Never fear! I will answer for everything."
With that assurance the six adventurers took their places in the midst of the gentlemen, and rode with them toward the château.
Cauvignac was not mistaken; they were closely watched.
Lenet rode on the outskirts of the cavalcade. On his right was the captain of the hunt, and on his left the intendant of the Condé estates.
"You are sure," said he, "that no one knows those men?"
"No one; we have questioned more than fifty gentlemen, and the reply is always the same; perfect strangers to everybody."