The farmer turned very pale and shook his head gravely, while the priest
was speaking. When the abbe had finished:
"Do you know, sir," he asked, coldly, "that I incur a great risk by
converting my house into a hospital for these rebels?"
The abbe dared not answer.
"They told me," Father Poignot continued, "that I was a coward, because
_I_ would not take part in the revolt. Such was not my opinion. Now I
choose to shelter these wounded men--I shelter them. In my opinion, it
requires quite as much courage as it does to go and fight."
"Ah! you are a brave man!" cried the abbe.
"I know that very well! Bring Monsieur d'Escorval. There is no one here
but my wife and boys--no one will betray him!"
A half hour later the baron was lying in a small loft, where Jean
Lacheneur was already installed.
From the window, Abbe Midon and Mme. d'Escorval watched the little
_cortege_, organized for the purpose of deceiving the Duc de Sairmeuse's
spies, as it moved rapidly away.
Corporal Bavois, with his head bound up with bloodstained linen, had
taken the baron's place upon the litter.
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