ily. "Citizen Rigaud, I
presume that, as a high official of the Commune, you can replace the
citizen who has fallen and complete the ceremony."

"Certainly, if it is your wish."

"It is my wish more even than before."

"The matter is simple," the delegate said, "my predecessor has already
recorded your answers, there remains but for me to complete the
ceremony."

A minute later Arnold Dampierre and Minette were pronounced man and
wife, and signed the register, Martin Dufaure, Cuthbert, and the various
deputies present signing as witnesses. A fiacre had been called up, and
was in readiness at the door. Cuthbert assisted Arnold to take his place
in it.

"If I were you, Arnold," he whispered, "I would go to the old lodgings;
of course they are still vacant; if you prefer it, you can take mine, I
still keep them on though I have moved for a time. It will be better for
you in every way not to be up here at Montmartre."

"Thank you; it would anyhow be quieter. Will you tell the coachman where
to drive?"

"I will go on the box," Cuthbert said, "of course Dufaure will go with
you." He told the Communist what they had decided on.

"That will be best," he agreed; "this is not a quiet quarter at present.
What with drumming and drinking, it is not a place for a wounded man."

"You had better go inside with them, and I will go on the box," Cuthbert
said, "keep Minette talking, it will prevent her breaking down, it has
been a terrible shock for her."

The landlady was heartily glad to see Dampierre back again. Cuthbert and
the Communist assisted the wounded man to bed.

"I will see about getting things in at present," Cuthbert said, "so do
not worry over that, Minette; if everything goes well he will be about
again in a few days, but keep him quiet as long as you can, I will come
in to-morrow and see how he is getting on."

After going round to a restaurant and ordering meals to be sent in
regularly, with some bottles of wine for Martin Dufaure's benefit,
Cuthbert returned to Passy.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Mary was greatly shocked upon hearing the tragic circumstances that had
occurred at the wedding.

"Who is the man that fired, Cuthbert?"

"His name is Jean Diantre. I heard from Dufaure that he has been a lover
of Minette's; he said she had never given him any encouragement, but
acknowledged that he himself believed she might have taken him at last
if she had not met Dampierre. He said that he had been uneasy f