ope, Rupert
Gascoigne, to leave this place again."

And she looked capable of taking his life then and there.

"Come, come! Cyprienne; you are going too far. Mr. Gascoigne has not
behaved very well, perhaps, but it is not for us to call him to
account. We will leave him to the myrmidons of the law. He is wanted,
we know, by the police."

"Am I?" said Hyde, mockingly; "so are others, as you will find. At
this moment the house is surrounded. The authorities have long had
their eye on Hippolyte Ledantec, _alias_ Hobson, the Russian spy."

The confederates looked at each other uneasily, and Ledantec said--

"It can hardly be so. But it will be well to ascertain and take
precautions. Come! there is a way out of this house known only to me."

And, so saying, he went towards the door, followed by Mrs. Wilders.
Suddenly he paused, surprised by a loud knocking outside.

They heard the old woman's voice angrily asking who was there; they
heard the reply, spoken loudly and authoritatively.

"The police! Open, in the name of the law. Open! or we shall break the
door down."

Next minute the apartment was invaded by a _posse_ of police, all of
whom were drawn to where Hyde was by his loud cries of "Here! Here!"

"Let no one move," said the chief of the police, briefly. "What is the
meaning of this? Who are you?" This was to Ledantec.

"My name is Mr. Hobson, a British subject, and member of the press. I
shall require you to explain this intrusion."

"His real name is Ledantec!" cried Hyde, interposing. "Ex-gambler, and
now spy in the pay of the Russians. This woman is his accomplice."

"And who may you be?" said the police-officer, turning to Hyde.

"I know this gentleman," put in the _attache_ whom Hyde had seen at
the Embassy. "He is a British officer--Mr. Hyde."

"I know better!" cried Ledantec, with a scornful laugh. "I denounce
him as Rupert Gascoigne, the perpetrator of the murder in Tinplate
Street, fifteen years ago. The case cannot yet be forgotten at the
Prefecture."

"Is it possible?" said the chief of the police, looking curiously at
Hyde. "Surely I should recognise you. I was one of those from whom you
escaped by jumping into the Seine."

"I do not deny that I am the man," replied Hyde, calmly. "But I am
innocent, and only ask a fair trial."

"We must arrest you, anyway. Keep what you have to say for the judge.
Come! bring them along; it's altogether a fine morning's work."

And within an hour Hyde