, maybe I am, my lord."

He darted a glance at me--a glance of anger.

"Is your mother dead?" said I.

"Ay, she's dead."

"She may thank God," said I, and I heard him curse me softly. "Well,
what's the message?" I continued.

I had touched him on the raw, for all the world knew he had broken his
mother's heart and flaunted his mistresses in her house; and his airy
manner was gone for the moment.

"The duke offers you more than I would," he growled. "A halter for
you, sire, was my suggestion. But he offers you safe-conduct across the
frontier and a million crowns."

"I prefer your offer, my lord, if I am bound to one."

"You refuse?"

"Of course."

"I told Michael you would;" and the villain, his temper restored,
gave me the sunniest of smiles. "The fact is, between ourselves," he
continued, "Michael doesn't understand a gentleman."

I began to laugh.

"And you?" I asked.

"I do," he said. "Well, well, the halter be it."

"I'm sorry you won't live to see it," I observed.

"Has his Majesty done me the honour to fasten a particular quarrel on
me?"

"I would you were a few years older, though."

"Oh, God gives years, but the devil gives increase," laughed he. "I can
hold my own."

"How is your prisoner?" I asked.

"The K--?"

"Your prisoner."

"I forgot your wishes, sire. Well, he is alive."

He rose to his feet; I imitated him. Then, with a smile, he said:

"And the pretty princess? Faith, I'll wager the next Elphberg will be
red enough, for all that Black Michael will be called his father."

I sprang a step towards him, clenching my hand. He did not move an inch,
and his lip curled in insolent amusement.

"Go, while your skin's whole!" I muttered. He had repaid me with
interest my hit about his mother.

Then came the most audacious thing I have known in my life. My friends
were some thirty yards away. Rupert called to a groom to bring him his
horse, and dismissed the fellow with a crown. The horse stood near. I
stood still, suspecting nothing. Rupert made as though to mount; then
he suddenly turned to me: his left hand resting in his belt, his right
outstretched: "Shake hands," he said.

I bowed, and did as he had foreseen--I put my hands behind me. Quicker
than thought, his left hand darted out at me, and a small dagger flashed
in the air; he struck me in the left shoulder--had I not swerved, it
had been my heart. With a cry, I staggered back. Without touching the
stirrup, he leapt u