," replied Jasmin. "When did they come?"

"Early this afternoon," said the innkeeper; "but I was not to say a
word about it."

"Are they within?"

"She is; but he went out a couple of hours ago and hired a boat to take
him to one of the vessels lying in the river. Ah! I thought, in spite
of their being dressed like common country folk, they must be something
more than they seemed. But," added he, abruptly, "I don't know why I
should tell you all this."

"Nay, my good fellow," rejoined Jasmin, in his blandest way, "surely
the word of our good old Achille is enough."

Jean glanced hastily at the letter as if to reassure himself, and then
a thought seemed suddenly to strike him.

"Stay. Mercy on us!" said he, stepping back a little, "is it possible?
Yes, I see--of course you are monseigneur the marquis. How could I be
so stupid? Ah, monsieur," he added, "I can only be too glad to----"

"Hush!" cried Jasmin, interrupting him. "We are watched. Do you not
see?"

And, sure enough, following the direction of Jasmin's eyes, Jean did
see the man who had brought his visitor there emerge noiselessly from a
dark corner near the open door and steal away into the street.

"Quick," said Jasmin, "go to her at once. Tell her all is well, but
that she must come instantly to the Hotel Turenne."

"But she will never come without him," cried Jean, pleadingly.

"Tell her that you will bring her husband to her the moment he returns;
but that if she delays, he will be lost. I will go on first and see
that the way is clear."

With these words Monsieur Jasmin drew his cloak about him and
disappeared. For a few moments poor Jean stood utterly bewildered, but
the thought of the danger aroused him, and he hurried up-stairs to the
chamber where Marguerite was sitting, anxiously awaiting her husband's
return.

In a few hasty words, and not a little excited by his mission, the
landlord bade her get ready and follow him at once, adding that a good
friend had come to aid them, and that she and her husband would soon be
safe. At first she hesitated, but on his urgent assurance that she had
nothing to fear, she forthwith put on her hood and accompanied him down
the stairs, and they quitted the house.

They had proceeded about a hundred yards, and had just reached a part
of the quay where some stone steps led down to a landing-place, when
Jean heard footsteps behind him. He stopped and turned round, and was
instantly seized a