putting their horses to a gallop and falling upon us.

Now my advice is that, in spite of these precautions, in fact
because of these precautions, the attack should be made at the
place agreed upon, namely the Maison-Blanche. If that is also the
opinion of the comrades, let me know it. I will myself take the
coach, as postilion, from Macon to Belleville. I will undertake
to settle the colonel, and one of you must be responsible for
Fouche's agent.

As for M. Roland de Montrevel, no harm will befall him, for I
have a means, known to me alone and by me invented, by which he
can be prevented from leaving the coach.

The precise day and hour at which the mail to Chambery will pass
the Maison-Blanche is Saturday at six in the evening. Answer in
these words, "Saturday, six of the evening," and all will go on
rollers. MONTBAR.

At midnight Montbar, who had complained of the noise his neighbor made,
and had removed to a room at the opposite end of the inn, was awakened
by a courier, who was none other than the groom who had brought him his
horse ready bridled and saddled in the morning. The letter contained
only these words, followed by a postscript:

Saturday, six of the evening. MORGAN.

P.S.--Do not forget, even when fighting, above all when fighting,
that Roland de Montrevel's life is safeguarded.

The young man read this reply with visible satisfaction. The matter was
no longer a mere stoppage of a diligence, but a species of affair of
honor among men of differing opinions, with clashes of courage and
bravery. It was no longer a matter of gold spilled upon the highroad,
but of blood to be shed--not of pistols loaded with powder, and wielded
by a child's hands, but of deadly weapons handled by soldiers accustomed
to their use.

For the rest, as Montbar had all the day that was dawning and the morrow
before him in which to mature his plans, he contented himself with
asking his groom to inquire which postilion would take the coach at
Macon at five o'clock for the two stages between Macon and Belleville.
He also sent him to buy four screw-rings and two padlocks fastening with
keys.

He already knew that the mail was due at Macon at half past four, waited
for the travellers to dine, and started again punctually at five.
No doubt all his plans were previously laid, for, after giving these
directions, Montbar dismissed his servant and went to sleep like a man
who has long arrears of