On the other hand, an instinctive and growing suspicion of this Monsieur Gaubert--who was now entering the inn--inspired him with the opinion that the fat Seneschal had been duped by a wild tale to send the troopers from the spot where they might presently become very necessary.
Full of fears, anxiety, and mistrust, it was a very dispirited Rabecque that now slowly followed Monsieur Gaubert into the inn.

But as he set his foot across the threshold of the common-room, a sight met his eyes that brought him to a momentary standstill, and turned to certainty all his rising suspicions.

He found it tenanted by a half-dozen fellows of very rude aspect, all armed and bearing an odd resemblance in air and accoutrements to the braves he had seen at Condillac the day before.
As to how they came there, he could only surmise that they had entered through the stable-yard, as otherwise he must have observed their approach.

They were grouped now at the other end of the long, low chamber, by the door leading to the interior of the inn.

A few paces distant the landlord watched them with uneasy eyes.
But what dismayed Garnache's servant most of all was to see the man who called himself Gaubert standing in talk with a slender, handsome youth, magnificently arrayed, in whom he recognized Marius de Condillac.
Rabecque checked in his advance, and caught in that moment from Marius the words: "Let her be told that it is Monsieur de Garnache wishes her to descend." At that Rabecque stepped towards them, very purposeful of mien.