True, I was a fool to have forgot it.
“Pardon,” I said. “Forgive me for thinking only of myself.”
I pressed my lips again to her soft, warm palm, and, not trusting myself to look at her, turned towards the door she had pointed out to me.
And then, in an instant, I remembered! I had not myself alone to consider—there were Mademoiselle and Fronsac who must be freed also! I could not leave them in this den of wolves—what a coward they would think me!
I turned back. None of the sleepers had stirred, nor seemed like to stir. Claire had disappeared into the inner room. I groped my way slowly across the floor. I could see Fronsac sitting against the wall. How his eyes brightened at sight of me coming back! He held his bound wrists towards me eagerly.
“I thought you gone,” he whispered. “I was a fool! I might have known you would come back!”
His eyes were dark and moist with emotion—his voice trembled. What a thing it is to have a friend!
And then, of a sudden, there came the beat of horses’ hoofs without, a sharp challenge; Drouet, awakened, rubbed his eyes sleepily, saw the severed cords, and leaped to his feet with a yell. I tried to rise to meet him, but he saw me on the instant, and with a bound like a panther’s was upon me.
CHAPTER VIII
MARLEON!
One man I might play even with, but not with the half dozen who sprang to Drouet’s aid, and at the end of a moment, seeing resistance useless, I lay still, cursing my ill-fortune. The struggle had awakened all the men, and they crowded about us, asking many questions.