would have had me serve you, myself!"

He laughed, and so did I. We held hands, clinging in fellowship.

"I might not have refused your service; like Marquis de Ferrier."

The count's face darkened.

"I'll not abuse him. He's dead."

"Are you sure he's dead this time, count?"

"A Kickapoo is carrying his scalp. Trust my runners. They have traced
him so much for me they know the hair on his stubborn head. I must go
where I can have amusement, Lazarre. This country is a young man's
country. I'm getting old. Adieu. You're one of the young men."

Some changes of light and darkness passed over me, and the great anguish
of my wound increased until there was no rest. However, the next man who
visited me stood forth at the side of the stretcher as Bellenger. I
thought I dreamed him, being light-headed with fever. He was
unaccountably weazened, robbed of juices, and powdering to dust on the
surface. His mustache had grown again, and he carried it over his ears
in the ridiculous manner affected when I saw him in the fog.

"Where's your potter's wheel?" I inquired.

"In the woods by Lake George, sire."

"Do you still find clay that suits you?"

"Yes, sire."

"Have you made that vase yet?"

"No, sire. I succeed in nothing."

"You succeed in tracking me."

He swam before my eyes, and I pointed to the surgeon's camp-chair.

"Not in your presence, sire."

"Have you lost your real dauphin?" I inquired.

"I have the honor of standing before the real dauphin."

"So you swore at Mittau!"

"I perjured myself."

"Well, what are you doing now?"

"Sire, I am a man in failing health. Before the end I have come to tell
you the truth."

"Do you think you can do it?"

"Sire"--said Bellenger.

"Your king is Louis XVIII," I reminded him.

"He is not my king."

"Taken your pension away, has he?"

"I no longer receive anything from that court."

"And your dauphin?"

"He was left in Europe."

"Look here, Bellenger! Why did you treat me so? Dauphin or no dauphin,
what harm was I doing you?"

"I thought a strong party was behind you. And I knew there had been
double dealing with me. You represented some invisible power tricking
me. I was beside myself, and faced it out in Mittau. I have been used
shamefully, and thrown aside when I am failing. Hiding out in the hills
ruined my health."

"Let us get to facts, if you have facts. Do you know anything about me,
Bellenger?"

"Yes, sire."

"Who am I?"

"Loui