n this side of the road, now on that. My driver drew in to the
left, close to the wood, thinking, I presume, that they would pass us.

A moment later there was a crash. One of our horses went down, and the
cabriolet--the lighter vehicle--upset, falling over to the right. As
we came to a standstill I threw open the left-hand door saying: "Get
out, madame! Quick! Into the wood!" She was out in an instant and,
favored by the gloom, was at once lost to sight among the thick
shrubbery. I shut the door and got out on the other side. It was very
dark and raining hard as I saw Alphonse slip away into the wood
shadows. Next I made out the driver of the cabriolet, who had been
thrown from his seat and was running up to join us.

In a moment I saw more clearly. The two coachmen were swearing, the
horses down, the two vehicles, as it proved later, not much injured. A
man was standing on the farther side of the roadway. I went around the
fallen cab and said: "An unlucky accident, monsieur. I hope you are
not hurt." He was holding a handkerchief to his head.

"No, I am not much hurt."

"I am well pleased," said I, "that it is no worse." I expected that
the presumably jealous husband would at once make himself unpleasant.
To my surprise, he stood a moment without speaking, and, as I fancied,
a little dazed by his fall. Then he said:

"There is a woman in that carriage."

I was anxious to gain time for the fugitive, and replied: "Monsieur
must be under some singular misapprehension. There is no one in my
carriage."

"I shall see for myself," he said sharply.

"By all means. I am quite at a loss to understand you." I was sure
that he would not be able to see her.

He staggered as he moved past me, and was evidently more hurt than he
was willing to admit. I went quickly to my coachman, who was busy with
a broken trace. Here was the trouble--the risk. I bent over him and
whispered, putting a napoleon in his hand, "There was no woman in the
carriage."

"Two," said the rascal.

"Well, two if you will lie enough."

"Good! This _sacre_ animal! Be quiet!"

I busied myself helping the man, and a moment later the gentleman went
by me and, as I expected, asked the driver. "There was a woman in your
carriage?"

"No, monsieur; the gentleman was alone, and you have smashed my
carriage. _Sacre bleu!_ Who is to pay?"

"That is of no moment. Here is my card." The man took it, but said
doubtfully,

"That's all well to-day, but to-m