"We will risk it, Pierre. As long as we only meet them coming along in twos or threes, we can go on safely; for if they are inquisitive, I can set her down and speedily silence their questioning. If we see a large body coming, we can either turn down a side street or, if there is no turning at hand, can set her down again and answer as before. Every step we get, farther away from the quarter we have left, the better."
He had carried Claire but a few hundred yards, when he felt her move. He at once set her down again, on a doorstep. In a few minutes she was able to stand and, assisted by Philip, she presently continued her course, at a slow pace. Gradually the movement restored her strength, and she said, speaking for the first time:
"I can walk alone."
An hour later they reached the hut that they had marked out as their place of refuge. Pierre went to a corner and drew out, from under a heap of rubbish, a large bundle.
"Here is your cloak and mine," he said, "and a change of clothes for each of us. We could not wander about the country, in this guise."
Philip laid the cloaks down to form a sort of couch; and placed the bundle, with the rest of the things in, as a pillow.
"Now, mademoiselle," he said, "you will be safe here until nightfall. First you must drink a glass of wine, and try and eat something. Pierre brought some up here, two days ago. Then I hope you will lie down. I will watch outside the door. Pierre will go down into the town, to gather news."
"I will take something presently," she said. "I could eat nothing, now."
But Pierre had already uncorked a bottle, and Philip advised her to drink a little wine.
"You will need all your strength," he said, "for we have a long journey before us."