"To be sure. Your good friend here has it in charge from Milhau. But where have you been? And what are you doing here?" he continued suspiciously.
"I lost my passport. It was stolen by Froment."
He whistled.
"And at Villeraugues they stopped me," I continued. "I have been there since."
"Ah," he said drily. "That comes of travelling in bad company, M. le Vicomte. And to-night I suppose you were----"
"Going to get away," I answered bluntly. "But you--I thought that you had passed long ago?"
"No," he said. "I was detained. Now we have met, I would advise you to mount and return with me."
"I will," I said briskly, "with the greatest pleasure. And you will be able to tell them who I am."
"I?" he answered. "No, indeed. I do not know. I only know who you told me you were."
I fell to earth again, and for a moment stood staring through the darkness at him. A moment only. For then out of the darkness came a voice. "Have no fear, M. le Vicomte, I will speak for you."