[CHAPTER XVIII]
A PERILOUS MEETING
At the corner of the square, as they were turning under the shadow of the cathedral, a smallish, slender youth came running trippingly towards them.
"You want horses," he said to Wat; "there are three of them ready waiting over there in the dark of the trees beyond the canal yonder."
"And who are you, my skip-jack manling," said Scarlett, "that makes so free with your horses in this country of donkeys?"
"A friend!" said the boy, sliding away from the rasp in the voice of the master-at-arms.
Something familiar in gait and manner struck Wat through the disguise of the unfamiliar dress.
"It is the Little Marie!" he said, gladly enough. "What do you here in this attire?"
The slim figure had slipped round to Wat's side and now laid a soft, small hand on his.