Part 16 (1/2)

”Oho! I thought that you would bring that arguood-humouredly ”Let me tell you that if you start to-morrow from Paris in that spirit you will run your head and Arate of Neuilly I cannot allow either of you to cover your faces with too rime; an honest farm labourer should not look over-dirty, and your chances of being discovered and detained are, at the outset, far greater than those which Ffoulkes and Tony will run--”

Ar this ti his plan for his--a plan which practically was a command--he had sat with his arms folded across his chest, his head sunk upon his breast When Blakeney had asked if they were satisfied, he had taken no part in Hastings' protest nor responded to his leader's good-huh he did not look up even now, yet he felt that Percy's eyes were fixed upon hireat effort to appear eager like the others, and yet from the first a chill had struck at his heart He could not leave Paris before he had seen Jeanne

He looked up suddenly, trying to seem unconcerned; he even looked his chief fully in the face

”When ought we to leave Paris?” he asked calmly

”You MUST leave at daybreak,” replied Blakeney with a slight, almost iates are first opened, and the work-people go to and fro at their work, that is the safest hour And you must be at St Germain as soon as may be, or the farmer may not have a sufficiency of horses available at a moment's notice I want you to be spokess'

British accent should not betray you both Also you et a conveyance for St Germain immediately We must think of every eventuality, Armand There is so much at stake”

Armand made no further comment just then But the others looked astonished Armand had but asked a simple question, and Blakeney's reply seemed almost like a rebuke--so circumstantial too, and so explanatory

He was so used to being obeyed at a word, so accustohtest hint from him was understood by his band of devoted followers, that the long explanation of his orders which he gave to Are sense of unpleasant surprise

Hastings was the first to break the spell that seemed to have fallen over the party

”We leave at daybreak, of course,” he said, ”as soon as the gates are open We can, I know, get one of the carriers to give us a lift as far as St Germain There, hoe find Achard?”

”He is a well-known farmer,” replied Blakeney ”You have but to ask”

”Good Then we bespeak five horses for the next day, find lodgings in the village that night, andof Sunday Is that right?”

”Yes One of you will have two horses on the lead, the other one Pack some fodder on the eht along theback for Paris, until you co to Courbevoie Turn down there and go along the road until you ht Make for the interior of that It gives splendid shelter, and you can disive the horses a feed We'll join you one hour after ht will be dark, I hope, and the moon anyhoill be on the wane”

”I think I understand Anyhow, it's not difficult, and we'll be as careful as may be”

”You will have to keep your heads clear, both of you,” concluded Blakeney

He was looking at Arthis brief colloquy between Hastings and the chief He still sat with ar on his breast

Silence had fallen on theh the openthere came from the quay beyond the hum of life in the open-air camp; the tramp of the sentinels around it, the words of co of the wind and the beating of the sleet against the -panes

A whole world of wretchedness was expressed by those sounds! Blakeney gave a quick, i to thehe pushed it further open, and just then there came from afar the muffled roll of drums, and from below the watchman's cry that see is safe and peaceful”

”Sound advice,” said Blakeney lightly ”Shall we also go to sleep? What say you all--eh?”

He had with that sudden rapidity characteristic of his every action, already thrown off the serious air which he had worn a s His usual debonnair ain, his laziness, his careless insouciance He was even at this rain of dust from the immaculate Mechlin ruff at his wrist The heavy lids had fallen over the tell-tale eyes as if weighted with fatigue, the h which never was absent fro