his lips. It was useless to send for a surgeon.

Chateau-Renard had withdrawn, but his seconds hastened to express their
horror at the fatal ending of the combat.

Chateaugrand added that he hoped M. de Franchi bore no malice against
his opponent.

"No, no, I forgive him!" said Louis. "But tell him to leave Paris. He
must go."

The dying man spoke with difficulty. He reminded me of my promise, and
asked me, as he fell back, to look at my watch.

It was exactly ten minutes past nine, and Louis was dead.

We carried the body back to the house, and Giordano made the required
statement to the District Commissioner of Police. Then the house was
sealed by the police, and Louis de Franchi was laid to rest in
Pere-La-chaise. But M. de Chateau-Renard could not be persuaded to leave
Paris, though MM. de Boissy and de Chateaugrand both did their best to
induce him to go.

_IV.--Lucien Takes Vengeance_

One night, five days after the funeral, I was working late at my
writing-table, when my servant entered, and told me in a frightened tone
that M. de Franchi wanted to speak to me.

"Who?" I said, in astonishment.

"M. de Franchi, sir, your friend--the gentleman who has been here once
or twice to see you."

"You must be out of your senses, Victor! Don't you know that he died
five days ago?"

"Yes, sir; and that's why I am so upset. I heard a ring at the bell, and
when I opened the door, he walked in, asked if you were at home, and
told me to tell you that M. de Franchi desired to speak with you."

"Are you out of your mind, my good man? I suppose the hall is badly lit,
and you were half-asleep and heard the name wrong. Go back and ask the
name again."

"No, sir, I will swear that I'm not mistaken. I'm sure I heard and saw
perfectly."

"Very well, then, show him in."

Victor went back to the door, trembling all the time, and said, "Please
step in, sir."

My hasty sensation of terror was quickly dispelled. It was Lucien who
was apologising to me for disturbing me at such an hour.

"The fact is," he said, "I only arrived ten minutes ago, and you will
understand how impossible it was not to come and see you at once."

I at once thought of the letter I had sent. In five days it could not
have reached Sullacro.

"Good heaven!" I cried. "Nothing is known to you?"

"Everything is known," he said quietly.

Lucien mentioned that on going to his brother's house, the people were
so panic-stricken that they ref