you can't spend the night in the church. I've no doubt that we can find
bed and board for all of us in some abandoned house."

The driving snow had reconciled John somewhat to the idea of Julie
passing the night in Chastel. The road leading down to the river was
steep and the bridge over which he had crossed was narrow with a very
high arch. A motor might easily miss the way in the darkening storm, and
then meet disaster.

Julie looked at him inquiringly as if she wished his indorsement of her
plan, although her lips were closed tightly.

"Of course you'll stay, Miss Julie," he said, "and I'll stay too,
although I'm not invited."

"You're invited now."

"Thanks. Consider me a follower, or rather a dragoman, to use the
eastern term."

Then he said to Antoine in French:

"Mademoiselle Lannes is resolved to remain tonight in Chastel. She
thinks that if her brother were to come her absence would upset all his
plans."

Picard nodded. His was the soul of loyalty.

"It is right," he said. "It is here that Monsieur Philip expects to find
her and we can guard her."