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In the guard-house we found Pierre and the other guardsman, both securely bound by Frojac. We released Pierre and sent him to his mistress. I put Blaise at the head of my company, and we set forth, half of the troop going first, then mademoiselle and I, then Jeannotte and the two boys, and lastly the other half of my force.
"Is there a path down the slope, by which we could reach that road, should we wish to go north by way of Clochonne?" I asked. "I do not think so," replied Frojac. "But there used to be a road from here to Clochonne, through the forest. It has not been used since the Sieur de Maury left, twenty years ago, to hunt for gold in the new world.
The halberdier, whose weapon I now grasped in one hand, while I held my sword in the other, took fright, let his weapon go, and ran from the courtyard through the open gateway. The arquebusier tried to bring his weapon to bear on Frojac, but Frojac dropped on his knees and, thrusting from below, ran his sword into the man's belly. The man fell with a groan, dropping his weapon and his match.
Was it, indeed, in accordance with directions communicated to La Chatre by her that they were now proceeding? "If they are bound for Maury," said I, "they have hit on a good time. Blaise and the men will have left there long before they arrive. Come, Frojac, we lose precious minutes!" "One thing is good, monsieur," said Frojac, as our horses resumed their gallop towards Clochonne.
"It is the town and chateau of Clochonne," said Frojac. "Who occupies the chateau?" "It belongs to M. de la Chatre, the governor of the province, who sometimes comes there. A part of it is occupied by a garrison." We resumed our progress through the forest, now descending the northern slope of the ridge.
"A body of troops," said Frojac. "Then we may catch up with them." "Or meet them. Perhaps they are coming this way." "Troops on a night march!" said I. Frojac looked at me. I saw written on his face the same thought that he saw on mine. "Whose else could they be?" he said. "And for what other purpose?" Had Monsieur de la Chatre, then, chosen this night for a surprise and attack on me at Maury?
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