"Consider yourselves in my charge now," the officer said, fitting very high and straight upon his horse.
"But will monsieur l'officier take us straightway to Colonel Denison?"
"In good time we shall see that officer," the starchy commander replied.
"But, monsieur, I pray you to make haste. It is a matter of the gravest importance that I should see him as speedily as possible. We were riding at a mad pace before you joined us, as witness our horses' flanks. This note I bear from Inspector Dicken to Colonel Denison."
The officer took it, opened it slowly, and cast his eye over the writing.
"I do not know whether this has been written by Dicken or not," he said, "as I have never seen his writing." Then folding the note he put it into his pocket.
"But that is my note, monsieur, my passport to Colonel Denison's attention. Wherefore do you keep it?"
The officious military gentleman did not feel called upon to explain why he had retained it. Now, all the while the party was at a halt, and the agony that poor Annette was suffering may be imagined.
"Monsieur, I repeat," the girl said in a tone of agony, "it is of the utmost importance that I should reach Colonel Denison without delay. The life of one of your most valuable allies may depend upon your haste."
"Would you favour me with the name of this valuable ally?"