The innkeeper immediately hurried toward them, and while Madame Danglars ordered a glass of brandy for the coachman, the latter went to the kitchen to get the nails and cords he required to fix his broken axle. He threw the green cap carelessly on the table. Several people who sat there threw curious glances at the despised head-dress. Finally one of them said:
"Where did you get that pretty cap?"
"My coachman found it," said Madame Danglars softly.
"On the road?" exclaimed the men, rising as if electrified.
"We must hurry! Who is going along?"
"I—I!" came from all sides, and, as Madame Danglars looked from one to the other, the innkeeper said:
"There is a reward, madame, given by the city of Toulon for the capture of an escaped convict, and where a convict's cap is found they naturally conclude that the owner must be near at hand. At present wages are low, and one must not blame our peasants if they try to make something extra. I can guarantee you that the prisoner will be captured before two hours more have passed."
"The escaped convict cannot have been long in the Bagnio!" exclaimed a peasant looking closely at the cap. "The thing is almost new."
"Is there no name on the lining?" asked another.