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The Lonesomest Doll
low voice. “You have your hands full now to manage Black Bête.” And presently Clotilde felt something tight drawn about her ankles, fastening them together; while rough cords bound her arms down close, close over Mignon so that she could not stir nor struggle. Oh, how helpless she felt, dumb and stiff and straightened as she was!
Jean was already on his horse. “Hurry, Jacques!” he cried, “they are nearing fast.”
In a moment Jacques also was in the saddle, with Clotilde fast held in one arm. Then Black Bête snorted and dashed away at the kick which the ruffian gave him.
“We must get to the Black Wood road before they find our tracks,” cried Jean. “It is a wild game we are playing, and if we lose,—we are lost.”
Clotilde’s heart sank. She knew now who these men were. She had often heard of the bold robbers who lived in the Black Wood, outlaws of another kingdom. Jean and Jacques were robbers! Oh, they would kill her and steal Mignon for the sake of her jewels! She had seen how their greedy eyes glittered at the sight of the doll’s ornaments. But she did not guess what60
