approaching them, followed by Jean.

"What would you do?" cried the old man fearfully, setting a
restraining hand upon La Boulaye's sleeve. But Caron shook himself
free.

"This," was all he answered, and simultaneously, he levelled his
pistol and fired at Blaise.

Shot through the head, the servant collapsed forward; then, as the
horse reared and started off at a gallop, he toppled sideways and
fell. The girl went down with him and lay in the road whilst he
was dragged along, his head bumping horribly on the stones as faster
and faster went the frightened horse.

With a shout that may have been either anger or dismay Jean reined
in his horse, and sat for a second hesitating whether to begin by
recovering the girl, or avenging his comrade. But his doubts were
solved for him by La Boulaye, who took a deliberate aim at him.

"Begone!" cried the secretary, "unless you prefer to go by the road
I've sent your fellow." And being a discreet youth, Jean made off
in silence by the street down which poor Blaise had been dragged.

"Carom" cried Duhamel, in a frenzy of apprehension. "I tremble for
you, my son. Fly from Bellecour at once - now, this very instant.
Go to my friends at Amiens; they will - "

But Caron had already left his side to repair to the spot where
Marie was lying. The peasantry followed him, though leisurely, in