Just then the gendarme who had driven him made a sign to Corentin, who went to the door to speak to him.
"There is no horse in the stable," said the man.
"You sent your boy on horseback to the chateau, didn't you ?" said Corentin, returning to the kitchen.

"Will he be back soon ?" "No, monsieur," said Michu, "he went on foot." "What have you done with your horse, then ?" "I have lent him," said Michu, curtly.
"Come out here, my good fellow," said Corentin; "I've a word for your ear." Corentin and Michu left the house.
"The gun which you were loading yesterday at four o'clock you meant to use in murdering the Councillor of State; but we can't take you up for that--plenty of intention, but no witnesses.

You managed, I don't know how, to stupefy Violette, and you and your wife and that young rascal of yours spent the night out of doors to warn Mademoiselle de Cinq-Cygne and save her cousins, whom you are hiding here,--though I don't as yet know where.

Your son or your wife threw the corporal off his horse cleverly enough.

Well, you've got the better of us just now; you're a devil of a fellow.