"Good! Perhaps you will have to make use of them."
All at once the gallop of a horse urged to its utmost speed was audible.
"Attention!" Valentine muttered.
Still the horseman, whoever he might be, rapidly advanced in the direction of the travellers, and soon came up to them. Suddenly Valentine bounded like a panther, seized the horse by the bridle and stopped it dead.
"Who are you, and where are you going?" he shouted, as he put a pistol barrel against the stranger's chest.
"Heaven be praised!" the latter said, not replying to the question. "Perhaps I shall be able to save you. Fly, fly, in all haste!"
"Father Seraphin!" Valentine said with stupor, as he lowered his pistol. "What has happened?"
"Fly, fly!" the missionary repeated, who seemed a prey to the most profound terror.