azarin's friend," she cried. "He is also
yours. He shall exert for you what influence he possesses."

"'T were useless, Mademoiselle. Besides, what does it signify? Again,
adieu!"

She spoke no answering word, but silently held out her hand. Silently
I took it in mine, and for a moment I hesitated, thinking of what I
was--of what she was. At last, moved by some power that was greater than
my will, I stooped and pressed those shapely fingers to my lips. Then
I stepped suddenly back and closed the carriage door, oppressed by a
feeling akin to that of having done an evil deed.

"Have I your permission to say a word to my servant, M. le Lieutenant?"
I inquired.

He bowed assent, whereat, stepping close up to the horror-stricken
Michelot--

"Drive straight to the Chateau de Canaples," I said in a low voice.
"Thereafter return to the Lys de France and there wait until you hear
from me. Here, take my purse; there are some fifty pistoles in it."

"Speak but the word, Monsieur," he growled, "and I'll pistol a couple of
these dogs."

"Pah! You grow childish," I laughed, "or can you not see that fellow's
musket?"

"Pardieu! I'll risk his aim! I never yet saw one of these curs shoot
straight."

"No, no, obey me, Michelot. Think of Mademoiselle. Go! Adieu! If we
should not meet again, mon brave," I finished, as I seized his loyal
hand, "what few things of mine are at the hostelry shall belong to you,
as well as what may be left of this money. It is little enough payment,
Michelot, for all your faithfulness--"

"Monsieur, Monsieur!" he cried.

"Diable!" I muttered, "we are becoming women! Be off, you knave! Adieu!"

The peremptoriness of my tone ended our leave-taking and caused him
to grip his reins and bring down his whip. The coach moved on. A white
face, on which the moonlight fell, glanced at me from the window,
then to my staring eyes naught was left but the back of the retreating
vehicle, with one of the two saddle-horses that had been tethered to it
still ambling in its wake.

"M. de Montresor," I said, thrusting my bullet-pierced hat upon my head,
"I am at your service."

CHAPTER XIV. OF WHAT BEFELL AT REAUX. At my captor's bidding I mounted
the horse which they had untethered from the carriage, and we started
off along the road which the coach itself had disappeared upon a moment
before. But we travelled at a gentle trot, which, after that evening's
furious riding, was welcome to me.

With bittern