“We met half a dozen men just now, who have been patrolling this road for several hours.”
“Well?”
“They have seen no stranger either.”
“Yet he is on ahead somewhere, in a cart or else . . . . Here! there is not a moment to lose. How far is that hut from here?”
“About a couple of leagues, citoyen.”
“You can find it again?—at once?—without hesitation?”
“I have absolutely no doubt, citoyen.”
“The footpath, to the edge of the cliff?—Even in the dark?”
“It is not a dark night, citoyen, and I know I can find my way,” repeated the soldier firmly.
“Fall in behind then. Let your comrade take both your horses back to Calais. You won’t want them. Keep beside the cart, and direct the Jew to drive straight ahead; then stop him, within a quarter of a league of the footpath; see that he takes the most direct road.”