cases, yet, with the aid of their united efforts, they managed after a time to get at the cognac and a small case of biscuits, which, being slightly made, was more easily burst open.
These two cases they carried above water-mark first, gauging their contents from the outside, and then eagerly helped themselves.
The top of a brandy bottle was adroitly broken off by the doctor, and handed round the company. It was good old liqueur brandy, and the draught gave them almost instantly new life. Certainly never did cognac and biscuit taste more delicious than this did to the famishing ones, even although so rudely served round.
"There is a small cave a short distance from here, where we can find shelter for to-night," observed the doctor, when the first sharp edge of their hunger was over.
"Then let us lose no time, comrades," answered Anatole, "for we shall have another wild night. You and the ladies bear a hand, and carry what we have brought to the cave, while Dennis helps me to secure what flotsam we can as it comes in. We have little time left us."
The three women sprang to their feet, eager to work now that they were comparatively comfortable, and proved that they were not dilettanti, although accustomed to luxuries and being waited upon in their palmy days.
Fate or Providence was more merciful to these human tigers than they deserved, or it might be that they were the chosen and blind instruments of some Retributive Force, who were preserved to follow out their decreed mission to the bitter end. "The wicked flourish like a green bay tree," Holy Writ declares, although why it is
