“Damn it!” said the newcomer on perceiving the two captives. “There seems to have been a squabble. Beaumagnan! d’Andresy! The chief does strike hard! Result a fainting fit. What?”
“Yes, but it’s nearly over,” growled Leonard.
“What are we to do?”
“Carry her to the carriage and drive her to the Nonchalante,” growled Leonard.
“And what about me?”
“You’re going to keep guard on these two,” said Leonard nodding towards the prisoners.
“Hang it! They’re awkward customers. I don’t like the job,” said Dominique, scowling at them.
Leonard took Josephine by the shoulders, Dominique by the ankles. They raised her and were carrying her out, when, opening her eyes, she said to them in a voice so low that she could not suppose that Ralph’s hearing was fine enough to catch a syllable of what she said:
“No. I’ll walk all right. You will stay here, Leonard. You’re the best man to guard Ralph.”
“Let me knock him on the head and be done with it,” whispered Leonard. “This young fellow will bring us bad luck.”