Part 51 (2/2)
”Coeant ”Oh, Madame La Roche, you would have deceived me”
Rayner and his companions were compelled to descend He truly felt hters than he did for hiht be heavily fined, if not more severely punished He and his companions had only to look forward to a prison, froht escape
With the exception of Le Duc they were all soon collected in the rooed by some means to escape detection They were allowed but a short tihters The sergeant having received no orders respecting the ladies, and satisfied at having secured his prisoners, seemed disposed to allow the former to remain un ladies, as they shook hands, burst into tears In vain Madaht be allowed to partake of soeant would not hear of it He had caught the spies, and he intended to keep theht be played, and they ht make their escape
He at once, therefore, ordered his men to lead his prisoners to the courtyard of the house
”Hands off; I won't beround as one of the men seized his arm ”We are five to seven, mayn't we knock the fellows over, sir? We could do it easily enough, and get off before they caain”
”I'll join you with all ht as well as I could before my ribs were stove in”
”I'll tackle one of the fellows if I h he looked rather pale at the thought of the ile
”What do you advise, Rayner?” asked Oliver
”I can advise no violence,” said Rayner ”Wethe Frenchhters would certainly suffer in consequence We race, and weour escape without fighting”
Though the Frenchmen did not understand as said, they evidently, from the looks of the sea their pistols presented them at the heads of their prisoners
The ladies shrieked, fancying they were about to fire, and Tom turned pale
”Pray don't be alaro I wish, in the naratitude we feel for your kindness Farewell!”
He and Oliver kissed their hands, and the sergeant h the doorway
”Have I the word of you two officers and your men that you will commit no violence?” he asked ”If you refuse it, I shall be under the necessity of binding your arms behind you”
”What shall I say, Oliver?” asked Rayner ”If we give the pro to ain, if our arms are bound no opportunity can occur”
”Say then that ill atteive us,” answered Oliver
Rayner spoke as Oliver advised, and the sergeant appeared satisfied, as he imposed no other promise
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
IN PRISON, AND OUT AGAIN