coolest places, hardly raising their eyes at the beat of my horse's
hoofs.

But those who did glance up gazed at me curiously, and once or twice I
heard a muttered, "'Tis Monsieur Edmond!" as if I were the last person
they expected to see in my own home. Their strange glances, half
surprise, half pity, made me uncomfortable, and set me wondering whether
any accident had happened.

However, I proceeded slowly as far as the inn, outside which half a
dozen men had congregated, while old Pierre himself stood in the
doorway. They greeted me in wonder, and again I heard some one say,
"'Tis Monsieur Edmond!"

"Well, my friends," I exclaimed, with perhaps a suggestion of annoyance
in my voice, "is there any reason why it should not be Monsieur Edmond?
Did you think me dead, or has the heat affected your brains? Speak up,
some of you!"

"Is monsieur going to the castle?" asked Pierre.

"Of course I am!" I answered half angrily.

"Perhaps monsieur will dismount and enter the inn. Things have happened
since monsieur went away."

A great fear seized me, but, keeping my features under control, I
slipped from the saddle, and, bidding the ostler take charge of the
animal, followed Pierre into the one private room the inn contained.