"With Weisslicht? Impossible. He doesn't even know him."
"I'm telling you what they say. In any case, Morestal, be careful with that fellow. He's a bird of ill-omen."
"Come, come, mother, no hard words. This is a day of rejoicing.... Are you ready, Philippe?"
CHAPTER VI
THE PLASTER STATUE
There were several ways leading to Saint-Élophe. First of all, the high-road, which goes winding down a slope some two miles long; next, a few rather steep short cuts; and, lastly, further north, the forest-path, part of which skirts the ridge of the Vosges.
"Let's go by the road, shall we?" said Morestal to his son.
And, as soon as they had started, he took Philippe's arm and said, gleefully: