From time to time the dog barked gaily.
Vorski could not control his rage. However hard he tried, he was unable to gain an inch of ground: and the pursuit had lasted fifteen minutes. He ended by vituperating the enemy:
"Stop, can't you? Show yourself a man! . . . What are you trying to do? Lead us into a trap? What for? . . . Is it her ladyship you're trying to save? It's not worth while, in the state she's in. Oh, you damned, smart bounder, if I could only get hold of you!"
Suddenly Conrad seized him by the skirt of his robe.
"What is it, Conrad?"
"Look. He seems to be stopping."
As Conrad suggested, the white figure for the first time was becoming more and more clearly visible in the darkness and they were able to distinguish, through the leaves of a thicket, its present attitude, with the arms slightly opened, the back bowed, the legs bent and apparently crossed on the ground.
"He must have fallen," said Conrad.
Vorski, after running forward, shouted:
"Am I to shoot, you scum? I've got the drop on you. Hands up, or I fire."