“Very well. But Milona will follow you, and bring me back the news. Promise me you will be very careful.”
A final kiss, and he was already in the garden. Anetta turned to the servant and handed to her the note she had just written.
“Run to Ars. On the river, in a boat, you will see Hans, dressed like a peasant. Give him this paper, and return at once. Go, Milo! This time we shall succeed.”
“And the young man, madame—what will you do with him?”
A look of anxiety came over her brow.
“I cannot tell yet, Milo. I believe I love him.”
The servant smiled faintly as she said—
“Poor fellow! What a pity!”
And, without another word, she disappeared.
Marcel was running towards the works. At the first turn of the road the whole town lay before his eyes. From the Supply Stores a lofty column of black smoke mounted towards the sky, and flames were beginning to break through the roof.