not, like you, a gentleman by birth, monsieur," he said slowly, "and so
often trip in my behavior. Granted that you were amusing,--and you
were, monsieur,--can you blame me for using you for a diversion? I
infer that you have come to tell me that the time left me, either for
amusement or penitence, is short."

It was bravely said, but I knew from the careful repression of his tone
that his hardness was a brittle veneer. He was young to carry so bold
a front when his heart must be hammering, and I would willingly have
talked any doggerel to have afforded him another smile.

"I know nothing of your future," I hastened, "save that, arguing from
your youth, it will probably be a long one. It was your past that I
was sent to ask concerning. The commandant sent me. Since you speak
French, my mission is over. The commandant will come himself."

The prisoner laid his hand upon a chair. "Will you sit? I would
rather it be you than the commandant, if it must be any one. What were
you sent to ask?"

I waved away the chair, for I thought of the passing moments and of
what I had promised Father Carheil. "I must hasten," I said irritably.
"What was I to ask? Why, your name, the account of your capture,--the
story of your being here, in brief."

He saw that I glanced at the door, and he walked over to it. "Wait!"
he interposed. "I can answer you in a line. But one question first.
Monsieur, I--I"--

"Yes, monsieur."