chance of detection was passed, I could not
expose you to the risk of an examination before the _prefet de police_.
Happily, now these dangers are all over. Bocquin is too clever a fellow
not to throw all the other spies on a wrong scent, so that we need have
no fear of the result."

I could scarcely credit the evidence of my senses at the coolness and
duplicity of the chevalier throughout an affair of such imminent
risk, nor was I less astonished at the account he gave of the whole
proceeding.

One word, on leaving the soiree, had decided there should be a meeting
the following day; and as the Russian well knew the danger of his
adventure, from the law which was recently passed regarding prisoners
on parole, he proposed they should meet without seconds on either side.
Duchesne acceded; and it was arranged that the chevalier should drive
along the Bue de Rivoli at seven the next morning, where the Russian
would join him, and they should drive together to the Bois de Boulogne.

"To do my Cossack justice," said Duchesne, "he behaved admirably
throughout the whole affair; and on taking his place beside me in the
cab, entered into conversation freely and easily on the topics of
the day. We chatted of the campaign; of the cavalry; of the Russian
service,--their size and equipment, only needing a higher organization
to make them first-rate troops. We spoke of the Emperor Alexander, of
whom he was evidently proud, and much pleased to hear the favorable
opinion Napoleon entertained of his ability and capacity; and it was in
the middle of an anecdote about Savary and the Czar we arrived at the
Bois de Boulogne.

"I need not tell you the details of the affair, save that we loaded
our own pistols, and stepped the ground ourselves. They were like other
things of the same sort,--the first shot concluded the matter. I aimed
at his shoulder, but the pistol threw high. As to his bullet, it was
only awhile ago I knew it went so near me. It was nervous work passing
the _barriere_; for had he not made an effort to sit up straight in the
cab, the sentry might have detained and examined us. All that you heard
about his being left at his own door, covered with blood and fainting, I
need not tell you has no truth. I never left the spot till the door was
opened, and I saw him in the hands of a servant. Of course I concealed
my face, and then drove off at full speed."

By this time we arrived at the Luxembourg, and Duchesne, with all the