“I trust they will extend the same favour to us,” said Clayley: “God knows we stand in need of rest. I’d give them three months’ pay for an hour upon the treadmill, only to stretch my limbs.”
“They will take us down, I think—not on our account, but to ease the mules. Poor brutes! they are no parties to this transaction.”
Raoul’s conjecture proved correct. We were taken out of our saddles, and, being carefully bound as before, we were hauled into a damp room, and flung down upon the floor. Our captors went out. A heavy door closed after them, and we could hear the regular footfall of a sentry on the stone pavement without. For the first time since our capture we were left alone. This my comrades tested by rolling themselves all over the floor of our prison to see if anyone was present with us. It was but a scant addition to our liberty; but we could converse freely, and that was something.
Note. Desayuna is a slight early meal.
Chapter Thirty Four.
An odd Way of opening a Letter.
“Has any of you heard of Dubrosc on the route?” I inquired of my comrades.