III
The Marseilles train came into the station to the minute of nine o’clock, deposited two travellers on the platform and continued its journey to Nice.
One was tall and thin, M. Saribe, oil merchant, the other fat and short, M. Parisse.
They set off side by side, carrying their suitcases, towards the town, which was a mile away.
But when they reached the harbour gate, the sentries fixed bayonets and ordered them to keep out.
Startled, stupefied, quite dazed with surprise, they drew off and deliberated; then after taking counsel together, they returned cautiously to parley and gave their names.
But the soldiers must have had the strictest orders, for they threatened to shoot; and the two terrified travellers fled with all possible agility, leaving behind the suitcases that weighed them down.
Then they walked round the ramparts and presented themselves at the Cannes gate. It was as closely shut, and it too was guarded by menacing sentries. MM. Saribe and Parisse, being prudent men, pursued the matter no further, but returned to the station in search of shelter, for the road round the fortifications was not very safe after sundown.
A surprised and sleepy porter allowed them to spend the night in the waiting-room.
They spent it side by side, without a light, on the green velvet sofa, too terrified to think of sleeping.
They found it a long night.
Towards half past six they learned that the gates were open, and that they could at last get into Antibes. They set out, but they did not find their abandoned suitcases on the road.
When, a little uneasy, they stepped through the town gate, the commanding officer himself, with the ends of his moustache twisted up and veiled impenetrable glance, came up to identify and question them.
Then he saluted them politely and apologised for having made them spend an unpleasant night. But he had been compelled to carry out his orders.
The citizens of Antibes were utterly bewildered. Some people said that the Italians had been planning a surprise attack, others said that the Prince had gone away by boat, and yet others believed there had been an Orléanist plot. The truth was not suspected until later when it came out that the battalion had been posted to a distant station and M. de Carmelin severely punished.