I looked at him eagerly.
“Then you too believe my story, M. Letourge?” I asked quickly.
He gave me one look from under his eyebrows.
“Surely,” he answered. “Babes scarce out of leading-strings do not lie so glibly. They seem ready, though, to run to the aid of the first woman they hear squawking!”
I flushed at his tone, but checked the retort which sprang to my lips. After all, I had doubtless much to learn.
“But though we may not reach Cadillac in time, we may yet win the race,” he added. “You have noted, perhaps, that we are saving the horses. Should we push forward at full speed to Cadillac, that would be the end—we could go no farther. As it is, we are starting on a long journey, and Roquefort may be hard put to it ere he gets back again behind his battlements at Marleon.”
He fell silent again, looking so stern and inflexible that I had not the heart to address him. Yet it seemed to me that M. le Comte was in error. Even if the whole force were not sent forward, it would be wise, I thought, to send a small party at full speed to attempt to warn Madame. But this was my first campaign, so why should I venture to advise?
At last I heard the gallop of a horse’s feet behind us, and Fronsac rode up, his eyes agleam with excitement.
“Such fortune!” he cried, as he pulled up his horse beside mine. “Do you know to what M. le Comte has consented, my friend? It is that you and I shall ride on together, full speed, to Cadillac.”
It was my thought; I was not a fool, after all!