He knew that it was useless, endeavouring to stir up the authorities here, as they would naturally say that it was the business of the mayors at Nevers and Moulins, since the attack had taken place between those towns.

Ordering fresh horses to be got ready, he said to Mike: "Do you go to all the inns on the left of the main street--I will go to all those on the right--and enquire if a troop of mounted men have come in.

I am afraid there is no chance of it, but it is at least worth the trial." At the first four or five places he visited, the answer was that no such party had arrived; then, seeing one of the civic guards, he asked him if he had seen or heard of a troop of men passing through the town.
"Such a troop arrived an hour ago, Monsieur l'officier.

They stopped, as they passed me, and asked if Monsieur le Baron Pointdexter, accompanied by a carriage and some servants, had passed through the town.

They put up at the Soleil, and I should think that they are there now, for they had evidently made a long journey, and their horses were too worn out to go farther." Delighted at the unexpected news, Desmond hurried to the inn.