ou. Eugene Chabot, your brother?--yes; your brother.
Well, he could not have written to you as you tell me--"

"But I assure you--"

"For the simple reason, that, just one week before the seizure of
Valetta Joe, Chabot was killed--in a sortie from the enemy's lines."

"Impossible! I--"

"Have been lying throughout and must take the consequences. You have
thrust your head into the lion's jaw. Hold!"

Seeing that Hyde had thrust his one hand beneath his blouse, seeking,
no doubt, for some concealed weapon, Hobson suddenly struck a bell on
the table before him.

Four men rushed in.

"Seize him before he can use his arm! Seize him, and unmask him!"

The ruffians, laying violent hands on Hyde, tore off his blouse and
dragged the wig with its elaborate curls from his head. In the
struggle he gave a sharp cry of pain. They had touched too roughly the
still helpless arm which hung in its sling beneath the blouse.

"Ah! I knew I could not be mistaken. It is you, then, Rupert
Gascoigne! I thought I recognised you from the first, although it is
years and years since we met."

"Not quite, villain! Cowardly traitor, murderer, despoiler of the
dead!"

"What do you mean by that?"

"That I saw you at your craven work just after the Alma; you ought to
have been shot then. The world would have been well rid of a
miscreant."

"Pretty language, truly, Mr. Gascoigne! I must strive to deserve it."

"What are you going to do with me?"

"I am not sure. Only do not hope for mercy. You know too much. I might
make away with you at once--"

"But why spill blood?" he went on, musing aloud. "The guillotine will
do your business in due course if I hand you over to the law. That
will be best, safest; the most complete riddance, perhaps."

There was a pause.

"You see you are altogether in my power," said Ledantec, "either way.
But I am not unreasonable. I am prepared to spare you--for the
present," he said, with an evil smile--"only for the present, and
according as you may behave."

"On what conditions will you spare me--for the present?" asked Hyde,
elated at the unexpected chance thus given him.

"Tell me how you came to know of this address. Who sent you here?"

"Valetta Joe, the Maltese baker at Kadikoi."

"Describe him to me," asked Ledantec, to try Hyde.

Hyde had seen Joe more than once in his rides through the hut-town,
and his answer was perfectly satisfactory.

"Did he send any message?"

"Just what I have