PIERRE LABARRE
The marquis and his steward had likewise hurried along the road to Vagney. They were often forced to halt to find the right direction, as the overflowing Cure had flooded the road at different points, but yet they reached the hill on which the city rests before night.
"The danger is behind us now," said Simon.
A quarter of an hour later they stopped before a small solitary house. Simon shook the knocker, and then they both waited impatiently to get in.
For a short time all was still, and Simon was about to strike again, when a window was opened and a voice asked:
"Who is there?"
The two men exchanged quick glances; Pierre Labarre was at home, and, as it seemed, alone.
"I am the Marquis of Fougereuse," said the marquis, finally.
No sooner had the words been spoken than the window was closed. The bolt of the house door was shoved back in a few moments and a lean old man appeared on the threshold.