sently,' I said coolly. Let us make the most of
the time. A little wine and food will do Madame good.'

She smiled rather sadly.

'I think that we have changed places,' she said. 'And that you have
turned host and we guests.'

'Let it be so,' I said cheerfully. 'I recommend some of this ragout.
Come, Mademoiselle, fasting can aid no one. A full meal has saved many a
man's life.'

It was clumsily said, perhaps; for she shuddered and looked at me with
a ghastly smile. But she persuaded her sister to take something; and she
took something on her own plate and raised her fork to her lips. But in
a moment she laid it down again.

'I cannot,' she murmured. 'I cannot swallow. Oh, my God, at this moment
they may be taking him.'

I thought that she was about to burst into a passion of tears, and I
repented that I had induced her to descend. But her self-control was
not yet exhausted. By an effort, painful to see, she recovered her
composure. She took up her fork, and ate a few mouthfuls. Then she
looked at me with a fierce under-look.

'I want to see Clon,' she whispered feverishly. The man who waited on us
had left the room.

'He knows?' I said.

She nodded, her beautiful face strangely disfigured. Her closed teeth
showed between her lips. Two red spots burned in her white cheeks, and
she breathed quickly. I felt, as I looked at her, a sudden pain at my
heart, and a shuddering fear, such as a man, awaking to find himself
falling over a precipice, might feel. How these women loved the man!

For a moment I could not speak. When I found my voice it sounded dry and
husky.

'He is a safe confidant,' I muttered. 'He can neither read nor write,
Mademoiselle.'

'No, but--' and then her face became fixed. 'They are coming,' she
whispered. 'Hush!' She rose stiffly, and stood supporting herself by the
table. 'Have they--have they--found him?' she muttered. The woman by her
side wept on, unconscious of what was impending.

I heard the Captain stumble far down the passage, and swear loudly; and
I touched Mademoiselle's hand.

'They have not!' I whispered. 'All is well, Mademoiselle. Pray, pray
calm yourself. Sit down and meet them as if nothing were the matter.
And your sister! Madame, Madame,' I cried, almost harshly, 'compose
yourself. Remember that you have a part to play.'

My appeal did something. Madame stifled her sobs. Mademoiselle drew
a deep breath and sat down; and though she was still pale and still
trembled