was already harnessing horses. Then I described in the fewest possible words what had happened, and they both listened in breathless interest.
"And Michel?" asked Mademoiselle Broumoff eagerly.
"Is safe," I answered, with a smile, "and has behaved splendidly, like the magnificent fellow he is."
As soon as the carriage was ready I told Markov to draw out into the road in readiness to start, and I ran through to call off our men. Zoiloff met me excited, hot, and breathing hard.
"We have secured them all right. I filed up the men, and when we threw open the door the caged men were met with a line of muskets. They had no fight in them, for they had no arms. We have bound every man, and to make pursuit impossible I have had every horse in the stables shot. A cruel job, but necessary; and I have brought away the men's arms. We may start, Count. Our men are already away for their horses, and will meet us at that bend in the road above."
"Good," said I; but I wished he had brought the horses with us for remounts instead of shooting them.
"Good, yes; but much better if that wily old devil, Kolfort, hadn't slipped through my fingers."
"What is the route, Markov?" I said, going out to him. "We dare not return to Sofia. How can you reach the nearest point on the frontier road where we can get fresh horses for the carriage?"
"We must go back to within three miles of the city, sir, and then I can pick a way round and strike the west road there."
"Don't keep on this road for a yard longer than is absolutely necessary. It is dangerous. But do your
