last as long as we shall want it," pursued Guillaume.

"Very probably," agreed the Captain, with a languid yawn; again he
shifted his straw till the bulk of it was under his right shoulder, and
he lay on an incline that sloped down to the left. "And you 'll kill
me and take my papers, eh?" he inquired, turning and looking up at
Guillaume. He could barely see his enemy's face now, for the candle
guttered and sputtered, while the moon, high in heaven, threw light on
the dip of the hill outside, but did little or nothing to relieve the
darkness within the hut.

"No, I shall not murder you. You 'll give them to me, I 'm sure."

"And if I refuse, dear M. Guillaume?"

"I shall invite you to accompany me to the village--or, more strictly,
to precede me."

"What should we do together in the village?" cried Dieppe.

"I shall beg of you to walk a few paces in front of me,--just a
few,--to go at just the pace I go, and to remember that I carry a
revolver in my hand."

"My memory would be excellent on such a point," the Captain assured
him. "But, again, why to the village?"

"We should go together to the office of the police. I am on good terms
with the police."

"Doubtless. But what have they to do with me? Come, come, my matter
is purely political, they would n't mix themselves up in it."

"I should charge you with the unlawful possession of my portfolio. You
would admit it, or you would deny it. In either case your person would
be searched, the papers would be found, and I, who am on such friendly
terms with the police, should certainly enjoy an excellent opportunity
of inspecting them. You perceive, my dear Captain, that I have thought
it out."

"It's neat, certainly," agreed the Captain, who was not a little
dismayed at this plan of Guillaume's. "But I should not submit to the
search."

"Ah! Now how would you prevent it?"

"I should send for my friend the Count. He has influence; he would
answer for me."

"What, when he hears my account of your interview with his wife?" Old
Guillaume played this card with a smile of triumph. "I told you that
the little affair might perhaps be turned to my purposes," he reminded
Dieppe, maliciously.

The Captain reflected, taking as long as he decently could over the
task. Indeed he was in trouble. Guillaume's scheme was sagacious,
Guillaume's position very strong. And at last Guillaume grew
impatient. But still the persistent candle burnt.

"I give you