That absolutely unforeseen eventuality had changed Blakeney's usual irresponsible gaiety into a consciousness of the inevitable, of the inexorable decrees of Fate.
With an anxious sigh, Sir Andrew turned away from his chief and went back to the spinney to select for his own purpose one of the three horses which Hastings and Tony had unavoidably left behind.
"And you, Blakeney--how will you go back to that awful Paris ?" he said, when he had made his choice and was once more back beside Percy.
"I don't know yet," replied Blakeney, "but it would not be safe to ride.
I'll reach one of the gates on this side of the city and contrive to slip in somehow.

I have a certificate of safety in my pocket in case I need it.
"We'll leave the horses here," he said presently, whilst he was helping Sir Andrew to put the horse in the shafts of the coal-cart; "they cannot come to much harm.

Some poor devil might steal them, in order to escape from those vile brutes in the city.

If so, God speed him, say I.I'll compensate my friend the farmer of St.Germain for their loss at an early opportunity.

And now, good-bye, my dear fellow! Some time to-night, if possible, you shall hear direct news of me--if not, then to-morrow or the day after that.