At the same moment a whirlwind of men and horses swept under the arch with a noise like that of thunder.
The traveller thought for a moment that the Companions were pursued, but he was mistaken.
[CHAPTER IV]
THE TRAITOR
The door closed behind them. Daylight had not yet come, but the darkness was less profound. The traveller was surprised to see that the Companions had a prisoner with them. His hands were tied behind his back, and he was fastened to a horse which two of the Companions were leading. These three had entered first and had galloped to the end of the courtyard. Two by two the others had followed and had surrounded them. All had then dismounted. The prisoner had remained on horseback for a moment; then they had taken him down.
"Let me speak to Captain Morgan," said the traveller to the monk who had attended him. "He must know at once that I am here."
The monk went and whispered a few words in the leader's ears, who hastened to the traveller's side.
"From whom do you come?" he asked.