red unjustly. Four
years ago he was condemned to prison for killing the betrayer of his
daughter. He is called Samson. M. Lepine will no doubt recall the
circumstances."

"I recall them very well," said Lepine. "Samson escaped the day after he
was sentenced. I could find no trace of him, until I saw him at Toulon."

"But you did not arrest him!" said Crochard quickly.

"I promised to take no action until you and I had talked together."

"Thank you, M. Lepine," said Crochard warmly. "I have always respected
you as a man of your word. It was I who assisted Samson to escape, since
his punishment seemed to me undeserved; it was I who secured false
papers for him and established him at Toulon. He has done well, but he
dare not have his family with him. He loves his family, and without them
he finds life sad. M. Delcasse, you have told me to name a reward--I ask
that Samson may be pardoned."

"It is granted," said Delcasse, in a low voice; "but is there nothing
else? Is there nothing I can do for you, my friend?"

Crochard had arisen and he and the great Minister stood face to face.

"Yes, there is something, sir," he said, "which you can do for me, and
which will make me very proud. You are a great man, and I admire you.
There are not many men to whom I raise my hat; but I salute you, sir,
and I hope you will accept my hand!"

Delcasse's hand shot out and seized Crochard's and held it close.

"It is I who am honoured!" he said thickly.

But at the end of a moment, Crochard drew his hand away.

"Do not idealise me, sir," he said. "I am outside the law; you and I go
different ways. If for once, M. Lepine and I have worked together, it
was because France demanded it. We admire each other; we have found
that we possess certain qualities in common. But now I have done my
part; the rest is in your hands. So I say adieu; our alliance is over;
we are enemies again--"

"Not enemies," broke in Delcasse, quickly. "Antagonists perhaps; but not
enemies. I wish--"

"No, do not wish," said Crochard. "My life satisfies me. I have a
certain work to do, and I am happy in doing it. But I accept your
word--henceforth we are antagonists, not enemies. Adieu, sir."

The door closed, and Delcasse, dropping heavily into his chair, gazed
mutely into Lepine's inscrutable eyes.

CHAPTER XXXII

STRASBOURG

A Mile or two back from the Rhine, on the banks of the Ill, stands the
fair city of Strasbourg. Once she was proud as we