A thick volume of smoke swept along the passage as I spoke, and gave point to my words.
"Yes," the priest said slowly, "I think so, too, my son, but----"
"But what?" I cried. "It is not safe to stay!"
"You sent to Cahors?"
"Yes," I answered. "Has M. le Marquis come?"
"No; and you see, M. le Vicomte, I have only these four men," he explained. "Had I stayed to gather more I might have been too late. And with these only I do not know what to do. Half the poor wretches who have done this mischief are mad with drink. Others are strangers, and----"
"But I thought--I thought that it was all over," I cried in astonishment.
"No," he answered gravely. "They let us pass in after an altercation; I am of the Committee, and so is Buton there. But when they see you, and especially Mademoiselle de St. Alais--I do not know how they may act, my friend."
"But, mon Dieu!" I cried. "Surely they will not dare----"
"No, Monseigneur, have no fear, they shall not dare!"