Madame Danglars rose up and got out, while Jacob unharnessed the horses and took one of the coach lamps in his hand.
"Now follow me," he said, holding the lantern aloft.
He threw the reins about his arm and strode bravely along, while Madame Danglars slowly walked behind.
As Jacob had said, the storm had decreased in intensity. A fine rain poured down, and the poor woman strode on with renewed courage.
Suddenly the storm cast a curiously formed thing at the feet of the pedestrians. Jacob picked it up and laughed loudly, as he put a convict's green cap, for such it was, upon his head.
"Almighty God!" exclaimed Madame Danglars in terror.
"Madame," said Jacob, confused, "I did not want to frighten you. I was only glad to see such a cap after so long a time."
"How did the cap get here?" asked Madame Danglars, excitedly.
"That is easy to say. A convict has thought fit to free himself from the kindly care of the Bagnio attendants, and as the beautiful costume of the galley slaves is universally known, he has changed his toilet and thrown his cap, jacket and trousers to the winds."
Madame Danglars became excited, but she kept silent. They soon reached the house at Oliolles. The church bell of the village struck eight o'clock. Jacob went to the nearest inn, and, tying his horses to a tree, he entered the smoky little saloon, accompanied by his companion.