and along the avenue on the summit of the southern ramparts, which was
accessible to every passer-by? No doubt he had lain in hiding among
the trees, had perhaps caught snatches of Chauvelin's recent talk with
Collot.

Aye! it was all so natural, so simple! Strange that it should have been
so unexpected!

Furious at himself for his momentary stupor, he now made a vigorous
effort to face his impudent enemy with the same sang-froid of which the
latter had so inexhaustible a fund.

He walked quietly towards the window, compelling his nerves to perfect
calm and his mood to indifference. The situation had ceased to astonish
him; already his keen mind had seen its possibilities, its grimness and
its humour, and he was quite prepared to enjoy these to the full.

Sir Percy now was dusting the sleeve of his coat with a lace-edged
handkerchief, but just as Chauvelin was about to come near him, he
stretched out one leg, turning the point of a dainty boot towards the
ex-ambassador.

"Would you like to take hold of me by the leg, Monsieur Chaubertin?" he
said gaily. "'Tis more effectual than a shoulder, and your picked guard
of six stalwart fellows can have the other leg.... Nay! I pray you,
sir, do not look at me like that.... I vow that it is myself and not my
ghost.... But if you still doubt me, I pray you call the guard... ere I
fly out again towards that fitful moon..."

"Nay, Sir Percy," said Chauvelin, with a steady voice, "I have no
thought that you will take flight just yet.... Methinks you desire
conversation with me, or you had not paid me so unexpected a visit."

"Nay, sir, the air is too oppressive for lengthy conversation... I was
strolling along these ramparts, thinking of our pleasant encounter at
the hour of the Angelus to-morrow... when this light attracted me....
feared I had lost my way and climbed the window to obtain information."

"As to your way to the nearest prison cell, Sir Percy?" queried
Chauvelin drily.

"As to anywhere, where I could sit more comfortably than on this demmed
sill.... It must be very dusty, and I vow 'tis terribly hard..."

"I presume, Sir Percy, that you did my colleague and myself the honour
of listening to our conversation?"

"An you desired to talk secrets, Monsieur... er... Chaubertin... you
should have shut this window... and closed this avenue of trees against
the chance passer-by."

"What we said was no secret, Sir Percy. It is all over the town
to-night."

"Quit