or
blow--and yet you say I cannot fight him in duello."

"Listen, my officer. He has been brought up in ignorance of his name and
origin, in my country Poland. He is French by birth, and his name is
Felix Clemenceau. It was his father, a celebrated sculptor, who married
my daughter Iza, after decoying her to Paris from her mother's side, and
he murdered her on some frivolous pretext when they were living
separated and he, heaven knows, had no farther claim upon her--his
existence was pure indifference to her. I answer for it! They tried his
father for the atrocity. Even a French jury could not find extenuating
circumstances for that kind of cold-blooded assassin who slays in the
small hours the wife of his bosom--after having cast her off and driven
her to evil ways, poor, spotless angel! They brought him in guilty of a
foul murder and he was guillotined--gentleman and artist of merit though
he was. They were kind to his young son; his friends made up a purse and
sent him afar to be educated and reared in ignorance. But the shadow of
the guillotine is projected afar, and I saw its red finger point to the
assassin's offspring. I have found him. If my hand is not too feeble to
strike, it may anticipate yours."

"I cannot measure swords with a felon's son!" muttered Von Sendlingen.
"But I shall not cease aching in the heart until he is in the shameful
grave he imprudently snatched me from."

"You are a man after my own liking," said the hag, chuckling. "I can
foresee that you will go far and perish in a blaze of glory! Listen!
There are troublous times when an unscrupulous and ambitious soldier may
make his mark and carve a good slice out of the great, rich cake called
Europe. Aid me, and I will aid you. Yes, Herr Major, it is one potentate
speaking with another," the singular woman went on with sinister pride,
and trying to draw her shrunken form into straightness; "I rule an army
of my own, camped by cohorts in the capitals of Europe--dating farther
back than your own, and, perhaps, as formidable. It is we who spy out
the weak spots in great cities. The next time, we shall swarm into the
doomed city in a mass and we shall devour its wealth and luxuries until
we are gorged. But for the day, it will be glut enough for me to have
the life's blood of this man. You cannot honor him with single combat,
it appears. Then, let me propose another mode to finish him."

The major was silent. Standing high in the ranks of the poli