deep cuff of his wrist. "As
you like in regard to that. More than one man has offered me that
happiness in the past, yet it was many a long year since, any man could
trouble me by announcing that he was about to kill me."

Something in the attitude of the man stayed the hands of the most
dangerous members of the mob. Yet ever there came the cry from back of
them. "Down with Jean L'as! He has ruined everything!"

"Friends," responded Law to this cry, bitterly, "you little know how
true you speak. It was indeed John Law who brought ruin to everything.
It was indeed he who threw away what was worth more than all the gold in
France. It is indeed he who has failed, and failed most utterly. You can
not frighten John Law, but you may do as you like with him, for surely
he has failed!"

The bitterness of despair was in his tones. Then, perhaps, the sullen,
savage crowd had wrought their last act of anger and revenge on him, had
it not been for a sudden change in that tide of ill fortune that now
seemed to carry him forward to his doom. There came a sound of far-off
cries, a distant clacking of hoofs, the clatter of steel, many shouts,
entreaties and commands. The close-packed crowd which filled the open
space in front of the hotel writhed, twisted, turned and would have
sought to resolve itself into groups and individuals. Some cried out
that the troops were coming. A detachment of the king's household, sent
out to disperse these dangerous gatherings, came full front down the
street, as had so often come the arm of the military in this turbulent
old city of Paris. Remorselessly they rode over and through the mob,
driving them, dispersing them. A moment later, and Law stood almost
alone at the steps of his own house. The squadron wheeled, headed by an
officer, who rode upon him with sword uplifted as though to cut him
down. Law raised his hand at this new menace.

"Stop!" he cried. "I am the cause of this rioting. I am John Law."

"What! Monsieur L'as?" cried the lieutenant. "So the people have found
you, have they?"

"It would so seem. They have destroyed my carriage, and they would have
killed me," replied Law. "But I perceive it is Captain Mirabec. 'Twas I
who got you your commission, as you may remember."

"Is it so?" replied the other, with a grin. "I have no recollection.
Since you are Jean L'as, the late director-general, the pity is I did
not let the people kill you. You are the cause of the ruin of us all,
the c