"Dead."
"That's the best morning's work ever you did, M. Étienne."
"Have you horse for us, Vigo?"
"Of course. Some of the men will walk. I suppose we're leaving Paris to buy you out of the Bastille?"
"Not worth it, eh, Vigo?"
"Yes," said Vigo, gravely—"yes, M. Étienne. You are worth it."
Vigo's troop was but slow-moving, as some of the horses carried double, some were loaded with chattels. M. Étienne and I, on the duke's blood-chargers, soon left the cavalcade behind us. Before I knew it, we were halted at the outpost of the camp. My lord gave his name.
"To be sure!" cried the sentry. "We've orders about you. You dine with the king, M. de Mar."
"Mordieu! I do?"
"You do. Orders are to take you to him out of hand. Captain!"