cle around the hut, cutting off all avenues of escape. Quickly
he thrust madame into the hut, whipped out his blade, bared his arm,
and waited just inside the doorway. Everything was plain to him. Eh!
well, some one would take the journey with him; he would not set out
alone. And madame! He was unnerved for a moment.

"Diane," he said, "forgive me as easily as I forgive you," he said
quietly. "And pray for us both. I shall be too busy."

She fell upon her knees, folding her hands across her heaving bosom.
Her lips moved, but without sound. She saw, possibly, farther into
this dark design than the Chevalier. Women love brave men, even as
brave men love woman's beauty; and persistently into her prayers stole
the thought that this man who was about to defend her honor with his
life was among the bravest. A sob choked her.

"D'Herouville, you black scoundrel, why do you come so slowly?"
challenged the Chevalier. "The single window is too small for a man to
crawl through. Think you to pass this way?"

"I am going to try!" cried D'Herouville, triumphantly. How well
everything had turned out. "Now, men, stand back a little; there will
be some sword play."

"I'll engage the four of you in the open, if madame is permitted to go
free." The Chevalier urged, this simply to gain time. He knew what
the answer would be.

D'Herouville appealed to Corporal Fremin. "Is that not an excellent
joke, my Corporal?"

"Eye of the bull, yes!"

"Ho! D'Herouville, wait for me!"

Madame sprang to her feet screaming: "Vicomte, save us!" She flew to
the door.

"Back, Madame," warned the Chevalier, "or you will have me killed."
With his left arm he barred the door.

"Have patience, sweet bird, whom I shall soon take to an eery nest. To
be sure I shall save you!" From behind a clumb of hazel the vicomte
came forth, a sword in his hand.

It was the tone, not the words, which enveloped madame's heart in a
film of ice. One way or the other, it did not matter, she was lost.

"Guard the Chevalier, men!" cried D'Herouville, wheeling. "We shall
wipe out all bad debts while we are at it. D'Halluys, look to
yourself!"

"You fat head!" laughed the vicomte, parrying in a circle. "Did I not
tell you that I should kill you?"

Had he been alone the Chevalier would have rushed his opponents. God
help madame when he fell, for he could not kill all these men; sooner
or later he must fall. The men made no attempt to engage