"'What is the matter?' said I, sitting up on the bed.
"'Non capisco, seguir me!' cried the bandit.
"'And where am I to seguir you?' said I, understanding that he told me to follow him.
"'Avanti! Avanti!'
"'May I take my bass?' I asked.
"The man made sign in the affirmative, so I put my beloved instrument on my back, and told him I was ready to follow him. He led me through several corridors and down a staircase; then, opening a door, we found ourselves in the park. Day was beginning to dawn. After many turnings and windings, we entered a copse or thicket, in the depths of which was the opening of a sort of grotto, where one of the robbers was standing sentry. They pushed me into this grotto. It was very dark, and I was groping about with extended arms, when somebody grasped my hand. I was on the point of crying out; but the hand that held mine was too soft to be that of a brigand.
"'M. Louet!' said a whispering voice, which I at once recognized.
"'What is the meaning of all this, Mademoiselle?' asked I, in the same tone.
"'The meaning is, that they are surrounded by a regiment, and Ernest is at the head of it.'
"'But why are we put into this grotto?'