Almost at the same moment a grey-painted, six-oared boat grounded on the sandy beach.

A couple of men landed from her, and as the carriage door opened, they saluted.

The Count's two guests got out and the others entered the carriage, then one of them got out again followed by the other, and between them they carried a limp, motionless human form completely covered by a great rug of dark fur.

It was taken to the boat.

All embarked, and the pinnace shot away out through the little headlands.