"You have weapons?"
"Why—yes; I have a sword."
"You have your servant?"
"Of course; but he is not here; I sent him to meet some one whom I expect."
"Very well; you ought to lend me a hand."
"To do what?"
"To charge the villains, and make them and their leader beg for mercy."
"Are you mad, monsieur?" cried the young man, in a tone which showed that he was not in the least inclined for such an expedition.
"Indeed, I ask your pardon," said the traveller; "I forgot that the affair had no interest for you."
Turning to his servant, who had halted when his master halted, he said,—