bring it to an end. The
local prefect had written to Paris that one word from De Franchi would
end the dispute, and Louis had appealed to him.

To-night Lucien was to arrange matters with Orlandi, as he had already
done with Colona, and the meeting-place was at the ruins of the Castle
of Vicentello d'Istria. It was a steep ascent, but we arrived in good
time, and while we sat and waited, Lucien told me terrible stories of
feuds and vengeance. Orlandi made his appearance exactly at nine
o'clock, and after some discussion agreed to Lucien's terms. I found
that I was expected to act as surety for Orlandi, and accepted the
responsibility.

"You will now be able to tell my brother, on your return to Paris, that
it's all been settled as he wished," said Lucien.

On our way home Lucien showed wonderful marksmanship with his gun, and
admitted he was equally skillful with the pistol. His brother Louis, on
the other hand, had never touched either gun or pistol.

Next morning came the grand reconciliation of Orlandi and Colona, in the
market square in the presence of the mayor and the notary. The mayor
compelled the belligerents to shake hands, a document was signed
declaring the vendetta at an end, and everybody went to mass.

Later in the day I was compelled to bid good-bye to Madame de Franchi
and her son, and set out for Paris; but before I left Lucien told me how
in his family his father had appeared to him on his death-bed, and that,
not only at death, but at any great crisis in life, an apparition
appeared. He was certain by his own depression that his brother Louis
was suffering.

Lucien told me his brother's address, 7, Rue du Helder, and gave me a
letter which I undertook to deliver personally.

We parted with great cordiality, and a week later I was back in Paris.

_III.--The Fate of Louis_

I was startled by the extraordinary resemblance of M. Louis de Franchi,
whom I had at once called upon, to his brother.

I was relieved to find that he was not suffering from illness, and I
told him of the anxiety of his family concerning his health. M. de
Franchi replied that he had not been ill, but that he had been suffering
from a very bitter disappointment, aggravated by the knowledge that his
own suffering caused his brother to suffer, too. He hoped, however, that
time would heal the wound in his heart.

We agreed to meet the following night at the opera ball at midnight, on
the young lawyer's suggestion. I r