ndered unconditionally. He came over and took
Andre-Louis' hand.

"My boy," he said, and he was visibly moved, "there is in you a certain
nobility that is not to be denied. If I seemed harsh with you, then, it
was because I was fighting against your evil proclivities. I desired
to keep you out of the evil path of politics that have brought this
unfortunate country into so terrible a pass. The enemy on the frontier;
civil war about to flame out at home. That is what you revolutionaries
have done."

Andre-Louis did not argue. He passed on.

"About Aline?" he asked. And himself answered his own question: "She is
in Paris, and she must be brought out of it at once, before the place
becomes a shambles, as well it may once the passions that have been
brewing all these months are let loose. Young Rougane's plan is good. At
least, I cannot think of a better one."

"But Rougane the elder will not hear of it."

"You mean he will not do it on his own responsibility. But he has
consented to do it on mine. I have left him a note over my signature to
the effect that a safe-conduct for Mlle. de Kercadiou to go to Paris and
return is issued by him in compliance with orders from me. The powers I
carry and of which I have satisfied him are his sufficient justification
for obeying me in this. I have left him that note on the understanding
that he is to use it only in an extreme case, for his own protection. In
exchange he has given me this safe-conduct."

"You already have it!"

M. de Kercadiou took the sheet of paper that Andre-Louis held out. His
hand shook. He approached it to the cluster of candles burning on the
console and screwed up his short-sighted eyes to read.

"If you send that to Paris by young Rougane in the morning," said
Andre-Louis, "Aline should be here by noon. Nothing, of course, could
be done to-night without provoking suspicion. The hour is too late. And
now, monsieur my godfather, you know exactly why I intrude in violation
of your commands. If there is any other way in which I can serve you,
you have but to name it whilst I am here."

"But there is, Andre. Did not Rougane tell you that there were
others..."

"He mentioned Mme. de Plougastel and her servant."

"Then why...?" M. de Kercadiou broke off, looking his question.

Very solemnly Andre-Louis shook his head.

"That is impossible," he said.

M. de Kercadiou's mouth fell open in astonishment. "Impossible!" he
repeated. "But why?"

"Monsieur,