he seemed to brace himself and to rally for a second.

"Her name?" he mused, in a far-off manner. "She is - Ma-de-moiselle
de -"

His head rolled on the suddenly relaxed neck. He collapsed into
Rodenard's arms.

"Is he dead?" I asked.

Rodenard nodded in silence.




CHAPTER IV

A MAID IN THE MOONLIGHT


I do not know whether it was the influence of that thing lying in
a corner of the barn under the cloak that Rodenard had flung over
it, or whether other influences of destiny were at work to impel me
to rise at the end of a half-hour and announce my determination to
set out on horseback and find myself quarters more congenial.

"To-morrow," I instructed Ganymede, as I stood ready to mount, "you
will retrace your steps with the others, and, finding the road to
Lavedan, you will follow me to the chateau."