“Can’t we all beat it together?” Rex suggested.
“You know we cannot,” said the Duke sharply, “they would follow us. One of us must run while the others cover his retreat from the window. Simon is to go first.”
“Why me?” said Simon. “You want to get rid of me!”
“Don’t be a fool — you waste time talking. In any case, you have only two shots left in that pistol. Rex, watch that side window while I speak to Simon.”
“Listen.” De Richleau’s voice dropped to a lower, more persuasive tone. “It is a big risk you run; there may be men already at the back of the house. There soon will be. Marie Lou has failed to get horses. Well, then, someone must go to her — at once, she is our only hope — and she is a brave child. I take responsibility for this. Ask her to show you somewhere where we can hide. We will give you half an hour’s start; but when we arrive, be ready. Go now, every moment counts.”
A shattering crash came as Rex fired into the darkness at a moving shape on the roof.
“All right; that’s different,” said Simon.
“That’s better. Good-bye, my son.”
“Missed him,” said Rex from the window, “but I guess he won’t try that cat burglar stuff again for a bit!”
“Lord be praised that we’ve got that boy out of this,” sighed the Duke, as Simon could be heard making his way down the stairs.