"I like the French, and I know them to be a brave and honest people.

I did not think that in a gathering of French gentlemen enough could be found to form a treacherous and murderous conspiracy like this." Nobody laughed in the dusk.

The silence was intense.

A cool wind blew across Robert's face, and he felt anew that an invincible champion stood by his side.

Boucher broke the silence with a contemptuous laugh.
"Out of the way, sir," he said.