The dawn had not come when Mercier drew rein where two roads forked.
"We will go quietly, monsieur, in case there is danger. There is a house here we must visit, a wayside inn."
Barrington let his horse walk but made no answer, and it was evident, by Seth's movement in his saddle, that he was prepared for attack.
A mean house, not a light showing from any window, stood by the roadside. Mercier dismounted and bid his companions do the same. Having tied the horses to a rail he knocked at the closed door, and Seth touched his master to warn him and draw his attention to the fact that the knock was peculiar and had a signal in it. The door was opened by a man, his figure outlined against the dim light coming from a room beyond.
"Welcome. I expected you an hour ago," he said.
The voice was familiar, and they followed him down a narrow passage into the lighted room at the back. It was not Latour but Jacques Sabatier.
"Welcome, Monsieur Barrington; we meet in strange places."
"And what is the purpose this time?"
"Your safety," answered Sabatier. "When we first met I never supposed I should have been employed so often in your affairs, ay, and have risked my head on your behalf, too."
"You seem to forget that you have tricked me."