"No."
"No, no, no!"
"Attention!"
It was the part of prudence to be silent now, since it was growing quite light.
Suddenly these men lurking in ambush held their breath, as they heard the sound of wheels and horses' feet. Peering through the branches, they caught an indistinct glimpse of a long wagon, a mounted escort, and something on the top of the wagon, all of which was coming towards them along the hollow road.
"There she is," cried the one who appeared to be the leader.
"Yes, and the escort too," said one of the men who lay in wait.
"How many are there?"
"Twelve."
"It was said that there were to be twenty."