“Not for a little while, monsieur; quite impossible. I have not yet told you about the Vengeance. Captain Gaudet, with the help of my son’s lugger and another craft from Havre, have floated the hull of the Vengeance, and towed her inside of the creek and stranded her. One of my son’s crew came back to tell us the news; and, besides, they have sent out two coast-guard boats to watch the coast. They say there is a corvette or a frigate off and on, as if with the intention of landing, or looking out for some of the crew of the ship that thought to cut out the Vengeance; so you had better stay quiet for a few days. It would be terrible to arouse suspicion. My son-in-law, Captain Gaudet, you may be sure, will watch the creek.”
Lieutenant Thornton thought for a moment, and then said—
“Well, Dame Moret, I should be sorry to do anything rash, and perhaps bring trouble on those who have so kindly assisted me. I will write to Madame Coulancourt to-night. How long do you suppose it would take to have an answer from Madame Coulancourt?”
“Not more than five or six days, monsieur. I will send the letters from Havre by the post.”
“Well, then I will wait till I hear from madame before I attempt my escape, and when I do make an effort for freedom I shall not, I trust, involve any one in my mishap should I fail.”
“Ah! mon Dieu! you must be guided,” said Dame Moret; “you are young and sanguine; but to try to get out of the country now will be a very hazardous attempt.”
“I should like,” said our hero, “to obtain a change of garments for several reasons.”
“They may easily be procured,” said Dame Moret. “My son will get you a plain country gentleman’s sporting costume. I will give out that a young friend of Monsieur l’Intendant is coming here for a week’s fishing in our trout streams; as you speak the language so well you may amuse yourself in that way without creating any suspicion, but your man must change his dress also, and he can then pass for your servant.”
Lieutenant Thornton was pleased with this arrangement; as he would thus avoid confinement, a thing he detested, and he was fond of trout-fishing.
“I have quite funds enough, dame,” said our hero, taking out from his belt some gold pieces, to the amount of ten pounds. “These will purchase most of the articles I require.”