“Why, we are out of the city; there's no harm now that I can see.”

“Is it possible,” said Maurice ironically, “that I have had the honor of hitting a baron on the head and breaking his arm?”

The baron muttered a curse and fell back.

“And you,” went on Maurice, addressing the leader, “are a Colonel?”

“Yes.”

“For the duchess?”

“For the duchess.”

“A black business for you, Colonel; take my word for it.”

“A black business it is; but orders are orders. Have you ever been a soldier?”

“I have.”