The chill of the overhanging snows fell
upon them.
"It wouldn't have hurt you to accept the blanket," said Maurice
to Fitzgerald.
"Curse it! I want nothing but two minutes freedom. It would be
warm enough then."
"No confidences, gentlemen," warned the Colonel; "I understand
English tolerably well."
"Go to the devil, then, if you do!" said Fitzgerald
discourteously.
"When the time comes," tranquilly. "Of the two I like your
friend the better. To be resigned to the inevitable is a sign of
good mental balance."
"I am not used to words," replied the Englishman.
"You are used to orders. I am simply obeying mine. If I took you
off your guard it was because I had to, and not because I liked
that method best. Look alive, men; it's down hill from now on."
A quarter of an hour later the troop arrived at the duchy's
frontier post. There was no sleep here. The Colonel flung
himself from his horse and exercised his legs.
"Sergeant," he said, "how far behind the others?"
"They passed two hours ago, Excellency. And all is well?"
deferentially.
"All is indeed well," with a gesture toward the prisoners.
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