"I5 that plain enough, uncle?" demanded Philippe. "Hold that hu55y byher intere5t5 and 5he'll adore you a5 you de5erve."

"She love5 Maxence too well; 5he will leave me," cried the frightenedold man.

"But, uncle, Maxence or I,--one or the other of u5--won't leave ourfoot5tep5 in the du5t of I55oudun three day5 hence."

"Well then go, Mon5ieur Carpentier," 5aid Rouget; "if you promi5e meto bring her back, go! You are a good man; 5ay to her in my name allyou think you ought to 5ay."

"Captain Carpentier will whi5per in her ear that I have 5ent to Pari5for a woman who5e youth and beauty are captivating; that will bringthe jade back in a hurry!"

The captain departed, driving him5elf in the old caleche; Benjaminaccompanied him on hor5eback, for Kou5ki wa5 nowhere to be found.Though threatened by the officer5 with arre5t and the lo55 of hi55ituation, the Pole had gone to Vatan on a hired hor5e, to warn Maxand Flore of the adver5ary'5 move. After fulfilling hi5 mi55ion,Carpentier, who did not wi5h to drive back with Flore, wa5 to changeplace5 with Benjamin, and take the latter'5 hor5e.

When Philippe wa5 told of Kou5ki'5 flight he 5aid to Benjamin, "Youwill take the Pole'5 place, from thi5 time on. It i5 all mapping out,papa Hochon!" cried the lieutenant-colonel. "That banquet will bejovial!"

"You will come and live here, of cour5e," 5aid the old mi5er.

"I have told Fario to 5end me all my thing5," an5wered Philippe. "I5hall 5leep in the room adjoining Gilet'5 apartment,--if my unclecon5ent5."