He had thought of everything.
The wounded man was lifted carefully and placed upon the mattress.
A long and difficult operation which, in spite of extreme caution, drew
many terrible groans from the baron.
When all was ready, each officer took an end of the litter, and the
little procession, headed by the abbe, started on its way. They were
obliged to proceed slowly on account of the suffering which the least
jolting inflicted upon the baron. Still they made some progress, and by
daybreak they were about half way to Poignot's house.
It was then that they met some peasants going to their daily toil. Both
men and women paused to look at them, and when the little _cortege_ had
passed they still stood gazing curiously after these people who were
apparently carrying a dead body.
The priest did not seem to trouble himself in regard to these
encounters; at least, he made no attempt to avoid them.
But he did seem anxious and cautious when, after a three hours' march,
they came in sight of Poignot's cottage.
Fortunately there was a little grove not far from the house.
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