impossible for me, therefore, to say who remained."

"Then there is no clue--"

"Hush! Mr. Commissary." It was the doctor's exclamation. "The victim
is still alive, and is trying, I think, to speak." Evidence given at
the point of death has extreme value in every country, under every
kind of law. The commissary therefore bent his head, closely attentive
to catch any words the dying man might utter.

"Water! water!" he gasped out. "Revenge me; it was a foul and cowardly
blow."

"Who struck you, can you tell us? Do you know him?" inquired the
commissary, eagerly.

"Yes. I--know--" The voice grew visibly weaker; it sank into a
whisper, and could speak only in monosyllables.

"His name--quick!"

"There--were--three--I had no chance--Gas--coigne--"

"Strange name--not French?"

The dying man shook his head.

"Gasc--tell--Engl--"

It was the last supreme effort. With a long, deep groan, the poor