Rex got painfully to his feet. “O.K. Let’s quit this party. I guess we’ve had enough for one night”
“We will break right away from the house, then, this time,” whispered the Duke. “If we make a big circle to the left we should strike the road.”
As he spoke they left the cover of the bushes once more, creeping forward among the trees that bordered the drive.
They heard footfalls to their left, and stood stockstill; Leshkin had evidently posted a man there to watch the window. The steps moved away, and they proceeded stealthily. Another five minutes and they were able to break into a quick walk.
Guided by the stars, they made in the direction in which they believed the road to run, and a quarter of an hour later they came to it. Turning left again they walked quickly on, keeping a sharp look-out for the track that led to Marie Lou’s cottage.
They passed three other cottages on the way, but these were dark and silent. At last they found the path and struck off to the right along it.
“If only Simon’s there,” said Rex, breaking the long silence.
“If he’s not, it’s a thousand to one against our ever seeing him again.” The Duke seemed suddenly to have grown very old and tired.
The windows of Marie Lou’s cottage were shuttered, and only a crack of light showed through. With a sigh of thankfulness at finding their one refuge again, De Richleau thrust open the door.
Mademoiselle Marie Lou stood upon the threshold, clasping her little mother-of-pearl revolver, her big eyes wide with fear; but of Simon Aron there was no sign.