"Well, we shall take a guide along; can you get one for us?"
"To-morrow, but not to-day."
"Why not?"
"Because my people are busy; but to-morrow it can be done."
In the meantime, the acrobats had finished their meal. Girdel arose, and, drawing close to the travellers, said:
"If the gentlemen desire, they can go with us to-morrow to Remiremont."
"Oh, that is a good idea," said the host gleefully; "accept, gentlemen. If Girdel conducts you, you can risk it without any fear."
In spite of the uncommon appearance of the athlete, the strangers did not hesitate to accept Girdel's offer; they exchanged glances, and the soldier said:
"Accepted, sir. We are strangers here, and would have surely lost ourselves. When do you expect to go?"
"To-morrow morning. To-night we give a performance here, and with the dawn of day we start for Remiremont."