you dare to approach nearer or lay your hand on me I will fire on
both of you, for happily my pistol has more than one ball, and it never
fails. You see that we are playing a dangerous game, upon whose issue
may depend your lives as well as mine. I can shoot you if I desire
it, or I can direct this weapon against my own brow if I wish to avoid
investigation or imprisonment. But I promise you to do neither the one
nor the other, if you will give me the time to say a few words to this
lady."

"Be quick, then," said the policeman, "or I will call in the soldiers,
and they can shoot you as easily as you could shoot us."

Ranuzi shrugged his shoulders. "You will be very careful not to shoot
me. The dead do not speak, and it is very important for my judges that I
should speak. Go to that door; I give my word that I will follow you."

As if to strengthen his words, he raised the hand which held the pistol,
and the two men withdrew with threatening glances, to the door.

Ranuzi then turned again to Marietta, who turned her great flashing eyes
upon him with an expression of anger and astonishment, mixed with hatred
and admiration.

"Marietta," he said, gently. She trembled at the sound of his voice. He
perceived this, and smiled. "Marietta," he repeated, "you have betrayed
me; you have revenged your love! I do not reproach you, my anaconda, but
I pray you to tell me one thing; did you send the last letters which I
gave you to the post?"

"No," she replied, compelling her eyes, with a mighty effort, to meet
his.

"Wretch! What did you do with them."

"I sent them to the King of Prussia."

Ranuzi uttered a shriek, and fell back a step. "Then I am indeed lost,"
he murmured, "as well as that unhappy creature, who pines for light and
freedom. Poor Trenck! Poor Amelia! All is lost; all through the jealousy
of this wretched woman. I tell you, Marietta," he continued aloud, as
he placed his hand heavily on her shoulder, "it is not necessary that
I should curse you, you will do that yourself. This hour will act as
deadly poison on your heart, of which you will die. It is true, you have
revenged yourself. Today you rejoice in this, for you believe that you
hate me, but tomorrow you will repent; to-morrow grief will overtake
you, and it will grow with every day--you will feel that you must love
me for ever and ever; you must love me, because you have wrought my
ruin. Yes, you are right--you have discovered the means to keep your