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Count Hannibal made no attempt to interrupt him, nor did he betray the

discomfiture which he undoubtedly felt But as the Grand Master paused-"M de Biron," he said, in a voice harsh and low, "you will answer to h the slits in the mask

"Possibly, but not to-day or to- his

shoulders conteentleman bestowed as I have

ordered, and then return to me Monsieur," with a bow, half courteous,

half ironical, "let es of silence and your

mask" And he waved his hand in the direction of the door

A moment Count Hannibal hesitated He was in the heart of a hostile

fortress where the resistance of a single man armed to the teeth must

have been futile; and he was unarmed, save for a poniard Nevertheless,

for a er at his

throat toThen--for

with the warp of a harsh and passionate character were interwrought an

odd shrewdness and soravely, he turned with dignity, and in silence followed the

officer fro at the door From one of these the

lieutenant took a lanthorn, and, with an air at once sullen and