"I think one does not expec' monsieur to fight anybody. Would I fight
you, you think? That was why I had my servants, that evening we play.
I would gladly fight almos' any one in the won'; but I did not wish to
soil my hand with a--"

"Stuff his lying mouth with his orders!" shouted the Duke.

But Molyneux still held the gentlemen back. "One moment," he cried.

"M. de Winterset," said Beaucaire, "of what are you afraid? You
calculate well. Beaucaire might have been belief--an impostor that you
yourself expose'? Never! But I was not goin' reveal that secret. You
have not absolve me of my promise."

"Tell what you like," answered the Duke. "Tell all the wild lies
you have time for. You have five minutes to make up your mind to go
quietly."

"Now you absolve me, then? Ha, ha! Oh, yes! Mademoiselle," he bowed to
Lady Mary, "I have the honor to reques' you leave the room. You shall
miss no details if these frien's of yours kill me, on the honor of a
French gentleman."

"A French what?" laughed Bantison.

"Do you dare keep up the pretense?" cried Lord Town brake. "Know, you
villain barber, that your master, the Marquis de Mirepoix, is in the
next room."

Molyneux heaved a great sigh of relief. "Shall I--" He turned to M.