But perhaps you think of walking?" he added with a
sniff.
"Such is your opinion, your time being worthless and it being of little
moment where you spend it. I have conceived a plan."
"Ah!"
"Has it not occurred to you that the danger which threatens us and which
calls for the protection of a troop is only on this side of the Loire,
where the Blaisois might be minded to attempt a rescue of the Chevalier?
But over yonder, Chevalier, on the Chambord side, who cares a fig for the
Lord of Canaples or his fate? None; is it not so?"
He made an assenting gesture, whereupon I continued:
"This being so, I have bethought me that it will suffice if I take but
three or four men and the sergeant as an escort, and cross the river with
our prisoner after nightfall, travelling along the opposite shore until we
reach Orleans. What think you, Lieutenant?"
He shrugged his shoulders again.
"'T is you who command here," he answered with apathy, "not I."
"Nevertheless, do you not think the plan a safe one, as well as one that
will allay his Eminence's very natural impatience?"
"Oh, it is safe enough, I doubt not," he replied coldly.
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