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The unknown dealt the fellow a buffet with his fist "Down, rascal!" he

said hoarsely "And you"--to the officer--"show me instantly to M de

Biron!"

But the lieutenant, who stood in fear of his men, looked at him

doubtfully

"Nay," he said, "not so fast!" And one of the others, taking the lead,

cried, "No! We may have no need of M de Biron Your name, monsieur,

first"

With a quick ripped the officer's wrist

"Tell your master," he said, "that he who clasped his wrist thus on the

night of Pentecost is here, and would speak with him! And say, n and the tone iuenots, who burned to avenge the blood of their fellows; and

these, overriding their officer, had agreed to deal with the intruder, if

a Papegot, without recourse to the Grand Master, whose moderation they

dreaded A knife-thrust in the ribs, and another body in the ditch--why

not, when such things were done outside? But even these doubted now; and

M Peridol, the lieutenant, reading in the eyes of his men the suspicions

which he had himself conceived, was only anxious to obey, if they would

let hi of the