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"You laugh, you knave!" he snorted Then, with an abrupt change ofone of these gentlemen to act for you, and if you are a man of honour let us step out into the yard and settle the matter"

I shook my head

"I am so much a man of honour as to be careful hoeance; his headsman may be less particular than aht you"

His face grew a shade paler It becarey; the jaas set, and the eyes were lance approached what is known in Italy as the ainst the baneful influences of whicha step nearer-"You do not think that you can fight me, eh? You do not think it? Pardieu! How shall I e your ine your courage above dispute because by a lucky accident you killed La Vertoile soo and the faer he was breathing heavily, like aever since by the reputation which that accident gave you Let us see if you can die by it, Monsieur de Bardelys" And, leaning forward, he struck me on the breast, so suddenly and so powerfully--for he was a th--that I ht me in his arms

"Kill him!" lisped the classic-minded fool "Play Theseus to this bull of Marathon"

Chatellerault stood back, his hands on his hips, his head inclined towards his right shoulder, and an insolent leer of expectancy upon his face

"Will that resolve you?" he sneered

"I will meet you," I answered, when I had recovered breath "But I swear that I shall not help you to escape the headsman"

He laughed harshly

"Do I not know it?" heyou help me to escape? Come, messieurs, sortons At once!"

"Sor," I answered shortly; and thereupon we crowded froe to the courtyard at the back