“It is not my intention to remain here all night. Neither am I a child⁠—or a fool. Dépêchez! ”

Belmanoir saw that the coachman had his blunderbuss ready and was only too eager to fire it, and he knew that the game was up. He turned his head towards the reluctant bullies who looked to him for orders.

“Throw down everything!” he advised.

Two more pistols and two daggers joined their comrades.

“A thousand thanks!” bowed my lord, running a quick eye over the men. “ M. le Duc, I pray you be still. Now, you with the large nose⁠—yes, mon ami , you⁠—go pick up the pistol our defunct friend dropped.”