"Monsieur may rest assured," he answered, changing into his fourth speed, notwithstanding the slight ascent.
Half-way up the hill we were barely one hundred yards behind. The man glanced at me for instructions.
He obeyed. The carriage drew to the side of the road. We rushed by, and I caught a glimpse of three faces. My spirits rose. There was only the Baron to deal with. Madame Richard and Isobel were the other occupants of the carriage.
"Stop, and draw the car across the road!" I ordered.
The man obeyed. I sprang to the ground. The Baron had his head out of the window, and the driver was flogging his horses.
"If you do not stop," I called out, "I shall shoot your horses."
The driver took no notice. He had flogged his horses into a gallop, and was coming straight at me. I fired, and one of the horses, after a wild plunge came down, dragging the other with him, and breaking the pole. The driver was thrown on to the top of them and rolled off into the hedge, cursing volubly. The Baron leaned out of the window, and he had something in his hand which gleamed like silver in the sunlight.
"I have had enough of you, my young friend," he said fiercely, and instantly fired.
An unseen hand struck his arm as he pulled the trigger. I felt my hat quiver upon my head as I sprung forward. The Baron had no time to fire again. I caught him by the throat and dragged him into the road.
"I have had more than enough of you, you blackguard," I muttered, and I shook him till he groaned, and threw him across the road.
Isobel stretched out her arms to me--Isobel herself, but how pale and changed!
"Arnold, Arnold, take me away!" she moaned.
I would have lifted her out, but Madame Richard had seized her.
"The child is vowed," she said. "You shall not touch her. She belongs to God."
"Then give her to me," I cried, "for I swear she is nearer to Heaven in my arms than yours."
The woman's black eyes flashed terrible things at me, and she wound herself round Isobel with a marvellous strength. For a moment I was helpless.
"Madame," I said, "I have never yet raised my hand against a woman, but if you do not release that girl this moment I shall have to forget your sex."
"Never!" she shrieked. "Help! Baron! Cocher!"