"
"I cannot see you in the least. Are you dressed as Monsieur
d'Etamps' lackey still?"
"No, I am now a quiet country gentleman, riding down from Paris
with my two sons, who have been up with me to see their aunt who
lives in the Rue du Tempe."
"Talk French, please, Rupert. Margot will understand then; and she
is so brave and good, and shares my danger, so she ought to be as
one of us."
Adele's spirits rose as they got farther from Versailles, and they
talked and laughed cheerfully, but in low tones.
Three miles from Versailles, as they rode past a crossroad, two
mounted men dashed out suddenly.
"Stand, in the king's name! Who are you?"
"We are travellers," Rupert said, quietly, "and go where we will.
Who are you?"
"We are guards of the court, and we must know who you are before we
suffer you to pass. None ride at night near Versailles but with a
pass."
"I am an exception then," Rupert said, "and I advise you not to
interfere with us;" and he urged his horse a few feet in advance of
his companions.
One of the horsemen seized his bridle, while another drew a pistol.
Rupert's sword leaped from its scabbard and cut down the man who
held the rein. The other fired, but Rupert threw himself forward on
the horse's neck and the bullet whizzed over his head. He rode at
the garde, and with a heavy blow with the pommel of the sword
struck him senseless from his horse.
"Now," he said to Adele, "we can ride on again.
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