For her I would willingly die, or suffer the worst tortures a fiend
could invent. Monsieur, there is but one person on earth who loves me
and whom I love; and she is in Rochelle, lying at the point of death."

"Your wife?" I said questioningly.

"My mother!" he replied. "In her eyes, monsieur, I possess all the
virtues. It is strange, is it not?" and he laughed a trifle bitterly.

"And you risked your life to comfort her before she died?"

"Bah!" he exclaimed impatiently, "what is a trifle like that? Monsieur,
I never yet begged a favour, but I beg one now. Not for myself, but for
her. You are young, and have a mother of your own! I shall not plead to
you vainly. I tried to kill you, but you will not take your revenge on
her. And I am altogether in your power."

"Yes," I said slowly, "that is true."

"You can send for a guard, but without explaining your object. They can
surround the house, while I close my mother's eyes, and afterwards I am
at your service. The gallows, the block, or the wheel, as your leaders
direct; you will not lose much."

"No, I shall not lose much," I repeated.

Now, strangely perhaps, I felt not the slightest doubt of the man's
story. His good faith was apparent in every tone and every gesture.
Whatever his vices, he loved his mother with his whole heart. And he was
entirely in my power! Even if he got away from me in the streets he