be played with in this manner, yet there was no
remedy. I was still wondering what to do, when suddenly there came a
sound of footsteps in the corridor, and some one knocked at the door.
The dwarf grinned with delight, but, pointing a pistol at his head, I
bade him be silent, and asked who was without.

"Armand d'Arcy."

I recognised the voice at once as that of the youngster who had brought
me to the inn. The little man also knew my visitor, and moved uneasily
in his chair till my pistol came in contact with his neck; then he sat
still.

"Pardon! I am engaged."

"But you must spare five minutes. I have come on purpose to see you,"
and lowering his voice he added earnestly, "the affair takes place
to-night."

Laughing softly at my prisoner, I said aloud, "What of it? You know
what to do."

"Then nothing is to be changed?" and there was a note of surprise in
D'Arcy's voice.

"Not as far as I am concerned."

"And you will be there by ten without fail?"

"Certainly, why not?"

"Well, there was a rumour floating about last night that you intended
to withdraw."

"Rumour is generally a false jade," I said coolly.

"Ten o'clock, then, at the new church in the Rue St. Honore," and with
that he retired, evidently annoyed at having been kept out of the room.

"That lessens the value of your information," said I, turning to my
prisoner.

"Considerably," he replied cheerfully. "I judged monsieur wrongly. It
is plain that his wits are as keen as his sword."

Ignoring the doubtful compliment, and taking up the note afresh, I
observed that I should soon be able to tell who wrote it.

"It is possible," he agreed, "quite possible."

He had regained his composure, and, indeed, seemed rather pleased than
otherwise at the turn events were taking. Still he did not quite know
what to make of me, and now and then a shadow of anxiety flitted across
his face.

As we sat staring at each other it dawned upon me that I had a new
problem to solve. What was to be done with this unwelcome visitor? I
had made up my mind to meet D'Arcy, and the sound of a neighbouring
clock striking nine warned me there was short time left for decision.

"Suppose I let you go?" I asked, half amused at the comical situation.

"That would be agreeable to me."

"Would you promise to say nothing about this affair till the morning?"

"Readily, monsieur."

"And break your promise at the first opportunity?"

"That is probable, monsie