"Do you hear, messieurs?" said La Valteline, listening intently; "do you hear?"
"I hear nothing," said Monclair.
"I do," said Beausseilly; "I hear a noise that seems to be coming nearer; it sounds like outcries, imprecations."
"It seems to me that someone is coming toward us. Listen! listen! the footsteps are becoming more distinct."
"Suppose it were Montrevert?"
"Can he have been attacked? We must go to his assistance!"
"We had better hail him first.—Take that lantern, Bruno, and hold it in the air.—Do as I do, messieurs.—Holà, Montrevert! is that you?"
The shouts of the young men were met by an answering shout.
"It is he," said Léodgard; "and he is not far away."
"There he is! there he is!"