eave the room; I heard him descend the stairs, and lock
the gate of the tower. Ha! ha! little dreamed he of the wit of Jean
Desmarais! _Thy_ friend must scorn bolt and bar, Bertrand Collinot. They
had not searched me: I used my instruments; thou knowest that with those
instruments I could glide through stone walls!--I opened the door; I was
in the outer room; I lifted the trap door which old Sir William had
had boarded over, and which thou hadst so artfully and imperceptibly
replaced, when thou wantedst secret intercourse with thy pupils; I sped
along the passage, came to the iron door, touched the spring thou hadst
inserted in the plate which the old knight had placed over the key-hole,
and have come to repair my coward treachery, to save and to fly with
thee. But while I speak we tread on a precipice. Morton has left the
house, and is even now perhaps in search of thee."

"Ha! I care not if he be," said Montreuil, in a low but haughty tone.
"Priest though I am, I have not assumed the garb, without assuming also
the weapon, of the layman. Even now I have my hand upon the same sword
which shone under the banners of Mar; and which once, but for my foolish
mercy, would have rid me forever of this private foe."

"Unsheath it now, Julian Montreuil!" said I, coming from my retreat, and
confronting the pair.

Montreuil recoiled several paces. At that instant a shot boomed along
the waters.

"Haste, haste!" cried Desmarais, hurrying to the waves, as a boat, now
winding the cliff, became darkly visible: "haste, Bertrand, here are
Bonjean and his men; but they are pursued!"

Once did Montreuil turn, as if to fly; but my sword was at his breast,
and, stamping fiercely on the ground, he drew his rapier and parried and
returned my assault; but he retreated rapidly towards the water while
he struck; and wild and loud came the voices from the boat, which now
touched the shore.

"Come--come--come--the officers are upon us; we can wait not a moment!"
and Montreuil, as he heard the cries, mingled with oaths and curses, yet
quickened his pace towards the quarter whence they came. His steps were
tracked by his blood: twice had my sword passed through his flesh; but
twice had it failed my vengeance, and avoided a mortal part. A second
boat, filled also with the pirates, followed the first; but then another
and a larger vessel bore black and fast over the water; the rush and cry
of men were heard on land; again and nearer a shot broke