you are engaged in a fencing bout in the courtyard, Monsieur Edmond, and
we shall beat them easily."

We drew up on the dusty road, with our backs to the high bank, and
waited--perhaps for death. The sobbing animals, trembling in every limb,
were grateful for the rest, and drew in deep breaths. The sun beat down
on our heads; not a ripple of air stirred the branches of the trees; for
a few moments not a sound broke the eerie stillness.

"Here they come!"

They had struck the highroad some distance above us, and it gave me
heart to see how blown their animals were. But the cavalier, catching
sight of us, spurred his jaded beast and advanced, crying out loudly,
"Surrender, Edmond Le Blanc! I arrest you in the king's name!"

"What charge have you against me?" I asked.

"I have an order for your arrest. Lay down your sword."

"Faith!" broke in Jacques, "those who want our swords must take them. We
are free men."

"Then your blood be on your own heads!" exclaimed the cavalier.
"Forward, my lads. Capture or kill; 'tis all one."

"Keep cool, monsieur," advised Jacques, "those two cut-throats are no
sworders. They are far handier with a knife than a sword, and are
unused to fighting in the sunlight."