This duel had another witness, a man named Poignot, whom you must remember; he was one of your father's tenants.

He took Jean, promising me that he would conceal him and care for him.
"As for the marquis, he showed me that he too was wounded, and then he remounted his horse, saying: "'What could I do?
He would have it so.'" Marie-Anne understood now.
"Give me the letter," she said to Chanlouineau, "I will go to the duke.
I will find some way to reach him, and then God will tell me what course to pursue." The noble peasant handed the girl the tiny scrap of paper which might have been his own salvation.
"On no account," said he, "must you allow the duke to suppose that you have upon your person the proof with which you threaten him.

Who knows of what he might be capable under such circumstances?
He will say, at first, that he can do nothing--that he sees no way to save the baron.
You will tell him that he must find a means, if he does not wish this letter sent to Paris, to one of his enemies----" He paused; he heard the grating of the bolt.

Corporal Bavois reappeared.
"The half hour expired ten minutes ago," he said, sadly.

"I have my orders." "Coming," said Chanlouineau; "all is ended!" And handing Marie-Anne the second letter: "This is for you," he added.