"Into the saddle then! Have you the password, Felix?"
"Yes; 'tis Roche Abeille."
"A good choice! 'Tis an omen of success. Have you any idea of the proper direction?"
"I can find the way easily to Arnay-le-Duc; I have had a long talk with one of the couriers."
Having passed our last outpost, where we stayed to chat for a moment with the officer in command, we proceeded at a brisk pace, my comrade feeling assured that we should not meet an enemy during the first six miles. After that distance we went more slowly and with greater caution, for if the marshal was really at Arnay-le-Duc, his patrols were probably scouring the neighbourhood.
About four miles from the town we entered the street of a straggling village. It was a half after ten; the lights in the cottages were out; the villagers had retired to bed.
"Shall we do any good by knocking up the landlord of the inn?" I asked.
"What say you, Jacques?"
"We shall probably learn the village gossip, and if the marshal is anywhere near Arnay-le-Duc it will be known here."
"True," said my comrade; "let us lead the animals into the yard. Edmond, hammer at the door!"