CHAPTER 7AT LA MALENE
From the western side of the Causse Méjean, wherein the cave was situated, to La Malene, as the crow flies, is a distance of five miles. The distance across the causse, as a traveller would walk, is greater, because it is necessary to make frequent detours to avoid gorges, rocks, and small mountain lakes. Apart from which, the going, even at its best, is very rough. It is for this reason that in most mountain districts of France distance is reckoned, not in kilometres, but in hours—that is, the time required to cover on foot the distance between any two points.
Worrals, equipped with her pocket compass, decided on the direct course—what Louis called a “route stratégical”; for she dare not risk being seen, and perhaps questioned, on the way. Moreover, in accordance w
