"It is not easy to be certain, because the people here are friendly to us, and distrust the French, who have given them small cause to love them.

But I am convinced that so astute a man as Sir James Montacute would cause a close watch to be kept upon this valley.

Most likely our presence here is known, and we are being watched for." "And is there no other way of crossing the mountains into Italy ?" "Yes, there is one other route; for historians disagree as to the one taken by Hannibal, albeit most believe that it was this of the Little St.Bernard.There is another way, which doubtless could be found; but if we were to strike aside after it, the spies would be upon our heels at once." "I was thinking," said Tom slowly, "that we might perchance part company, one take one route and the other the other, and so arrange matters that the spies should follow hot-foot upon the scent of the wrong man." A gleam came into Lord Claud's eyes.

He spoke very quietly.
"In truth, Tom, some such thought has come into mine own head; but it is not easy to make up one's mind to act upon it, for I fear it means certain death to the wrong man who must be followed." Tom's face set itself in grim lines.

There was a vein of reckless bravery and hardihood about him which imparted to the situation a species of stern delight, and sent the blood tingling once more through his veins.
"I will take the risk of that," he said; "I shall take some killing, I think.