"Now," said he, "let us go. We must avoid another scene. My father
and--my wife will be seeking me. I will explain when we are outside."
They hastily descended the staircase, passed through the gardens, and
soon reached the long avenue.
Then Jean Lacheneur suddenly paused.
"To come so far for a simple yes or no is, I think, unnecessary," said
he. "Have you decided? What answer am I to give Maurice d'Escorval?"
"Nothing! You will take me to him. I must see him and speak with him in
order to justify myself. Let us proceed!"
But Jean Lacheneur did not move.
"What you ask is impossible!" he replied.
"Why?"
"Because Maurice is pursued. If he is captured, he will be tried and
undoubtedly condemned to death. He is now in a safe retreat, and I have
no right to disclose it."
Maurice's safe retreat was, in fact, only a neighboring wood, where in
company with the corporal, he was awaiting Jean's return.
But Jean could not resist the temptation to make this response, which
was far more insulting than if he had simply said:
"We fear informers!"
Strange as it may appear to one who knew Martial's proud and violent
nature, he did not resent the insult.
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