We found a fine sunny morning and a dingy street full of gaping moujiks. Of the merry old gentleman, however, we heard nothing; nor had we any word from Valerie or the child. Our own escort was as it had been yesterday, a troop of Lithuanians well clad and armed, and apparently immune to the severities of the weather. Satisfied with our parole, they indicated our places in the sledge and made no attempt to bind us, and presently we all set out with a rattle of accoutrements and a tinkle of bells which would have been pleasant music had the circumstances permitted.
Soon it was plain that we were not very distant from the sea, and we travelled all that day towards the south-east as I judged. When night fell the spires of Elbing came to view upon the horizon, and a little after dusk we drew near to the city.
"And now," said I to Léon, "we shall know."
I did not add that it seemed a thousand chances to one against any hope of our ever seeing the French frontier again.
V
It was nearly ten o'clock at night when we entered the city. There were few people in its streets, and save some German hussars and a troop of dragoons, whose uniform was unknown to me, I saw no troops. The hope that the remnant of the Grand Army had marched in was, therefore, shattered.
It may have been that we had come after our comrades had left. This was a very unpleasant supposition, which I feared to speak of, though Léon was quick to remember it.
"The fellows appear to have been speaking the truth," said he gloomily, as he looked at the silent house and wondered, I doubt not, which of them sheltered Valerie. "The marshal has been beaten, and we shall see no more Frenchmen in Elbing, mon oncle. What then? What are they going to do with us?"
I confessed my inability to answer. The Poles were our allies, and it was inconceivable that we should suffer a mischief at their hands. Nevertheless, these were strange times, and God knows how little any man could be relied upon where French soldiers were concerned. If we had not misjudged the merry old gentleman our presence in Elbing could not but be inconvenient to him. I perceived this immediately, though I forbore to speak of it.
"We must carry it with a high hand," said I; "nothing will be done here by submission. Remember that we are of His Majesty's Guard, and let us take insults from no man quietly."