La Mere said, whoever met you was to tell you to be on this road, by the river, just outside the town, after dark, and she would bring you some clothes, and take you where you would be safe; but till then you were to go away again, and keep far from the town.

Do you understand ?" she asked, laying her hand on his arm, for he seemed dazed and stupid with the shock he had received.
"I understand," he said in a low voice.

"Thank you all for your warning.

Yes, I will be here this evening." So saying he turned and moved away, walking unsteadily as if he were drunk.

The woman looked after him pityingly, and then, shaking her head and muttering execrations against the "Reds," she made her way home to tell Mere Pichon that she had fulfilled her mission.
Harry walked on slowly until some distance from the town, and then threw himself down on a bank by the road and lay for a time silent and despairing.