e I
endeavored to prevent you from committing this crime!"

"Liar!" shouted Talizac. Then turning to the crowd of spectators:
"Gentlemen," he said, "I am the victim of a most monstrous calumny, and
I call on you to treat this scoundrel with his trumped-up tale as he
deserves!"

Not one moved. Fanfar, with folded arms, stood looking at them.

"She lives!" cried Irene. "She breathes! Mother, dear mother, permit
this girl to be carried to our home. I will bring her back to life; you
will give me permission?" she asked, turning to Fanfar.

"She is my sister!" said Fanfar.

Irene imprinted a kiss on Francine's brow. This was her reply to
Fanfar's words.

Talizac ran to the door of the salon and summoned the lacqueys. "Here,
take this man away!"

And, as they crowded in, Fanfar said: "Who dares lay a hand on me?"

"I do!" answered a voice behind him, as a hand was laid on his shoulder.
"In the name of the king, I arrest you!"

The man who uttered these words wore a white scarf, fringed with gold.
Soldiers filled every doorway.

"Monsieur," said the Magistrate, to Fongereues, "a man has just been
found endeavoring to conceal himself in the apartments of His Majesty.
He had arms concealed about his person, and did not hesitate to confess
that he came with the intention of killing the king."

A cry of horror ran around the room. Fongereues was overjoyed. Cyprien
had kept his word.

"And this man," continued the Magistrate, "when summoned to name his
accomplices, said that he obeyed the instructions of a secret society,
of which this Fanfar is the chief."

"An infamous falsehood!" exclaimed Fanfar.

"An assassin! never!" murmured Irene, as she rose from her knees,
hastily.

Arthur held her back. He had divined her secret. "Do not betray
yourself," he whispered, "rely on me."

Fanfar looked around. Escape was impossible. He turned to Irene. "Save
my sister!" he said to her.

She bowed assent. Then Fanfar spoke to the Magistrate. "This unfounded
accusation will recoil on the heads of my calumniators. I have been
against the monarchy, but I have had no hand in any plot with murder as
its object. I am at your service, gentlemen!"

Arthur whispered in the ear of de Talizac:

"To-morrow, if you are not a coward, I shall expect you!"

"And I will kill you!" answered the Vicomte.

In another hour the guests had left the Hotel de Fongereues.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

LEIGOUTTE.

The kind reader who has foll