ent and suddenly Blakeney became
conscious of his presence, and swift as a flash a smile lit up his wan
face.

"Why! if it is not my engaging friend Monsieur Chambertin," he said
gaily.

He rose and stepped forward in the most approved fashion prescribed by
the elaborate etiquette of the time. But Chauvelin smiled grimly and a
look of almost animal lust gleamed in his pale eyes, for he had noted
that as he rose Sir Percy had to seek the support of the table, even
whilst a dull film appeared to gather over his eyes.

The gesture had been quick and cleverly disguised, but it had been there
nevertheless--that and the livid hue that overspread the face as if
consciousness was threatening to go. All of which was sufficient still
further to assure the looker-on that that mighty physical strength was
giving way at last, that strength which he had hated in his enemy almost
as much as he had hated the thinly veiled insolence of his manner.

"And what procures me, sir, the honour of your visit?" continued
Blakeney, who had--at any rate, outwardly soon recovered himself, and
whose voice, though distinctly hoarse and spent, rang quite cheerfully
across the dank narrow cell.

"My desire for your welfare, Sir Percy," replied Chauvelin with equal
pleasantry.

"La, sir; but have you not gratified that desire already, to an extent
which leaves no room for further solicitude? But I pray you, will you
not sit down?" he continued, turning back toward the table. "I was about
to partake of the lavish supper which your friends have provided for me.
Will you not share it, sir? You are most royally welcome, and it will
mayhap remind you of that supper we shared together in Calais, eh? when
you, Monsieur Chambertin, were temporarily in holy orders."

He laughed, offering his enemy a chair, and pointed with inviting
gesture to the hunk of brown bread and the mug of water which stood on
the table.

"Such as it is, sir," he said with a pleasant smile, "it is yours to
command."

Chauvelin sat down. He held his lower lip tightly between his teeth, so
tightly that a few drops of blood appeared upon its narrow surface. He
was making vigorous efforts to keep his temper under control, for he
would not give his enemy the satisfaction of seeing him resent his
insolence. He could afford to keep calm now that victory was at last
in sight, now that he knew that he had but to raise a finger, and those
smiling, impudent lips would be closed forever