But at the first curve it slackened speed, then stopped
for an instant beside a dark figure, and when it went on again four
instead of three rode.
Picard sat beside his daughter and in those two faithful hearts was no
doubt of their escape.
"Antoine," said Julie, "I know that we owe our lives to you."
She offered him a small gloved hand. It rested in his giant grasp a
moment, then he raised it to his lips and kissed it.
"I'd have followed you across the world, my lady," he said.
"I know it, Antoine."
John, watching intently, sent the machine forward at fair speed. The
road again stretched before him lone and white in the moonlight, which
fell in a heavy silver shower. He did not know where they were going,
but there was the road, and the hussars could not ride hard enough to
overtake them. Now and then he stole a glance at Julie, and the same
indomitable courage was always shining in her eyes. She was not weary
and she was as wide awake as he. By and by both Antoine and Suzanne
slept, sitting upright, but Julie, wrapped almost to the eyes in cloak
and hood, was still quiet, watching everything with wide fearless eyes.
John brought the machine down to a slow pace and guided it for the
moment with one hand.
"Julie," he said softly, "I don't know where we're going, but I know
that we'll escape, and knowing it I now have something to ask you.
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