ron almost involuntarily. "Why in the name of
hell did you wait so long?"

Then, as the prisoner made no reply, but only raised his head slightly,
and looked on the other two men with dulled, wearied eyes, Chauvelin
interposed calmly:

"More than a fortnight has been wasted in useless obstinacy, Sir Percy.
Fortunately it is not too late."

"Capet?" said Heron hoarsely, "tell us, where is Capet?"

He leaned across the table, his eyes were bloodshot with the keenness
of his excitement, his voice shook with the passionate desire for the
crowning triumph.

"If you'll only not worry me," murmured the prisoner; and the whisper
came so laboriously and so low that both men were forced to bend their
ears close to the scarcely moving lips; "if you will let me sleep and
rest, and leave me in peace--"

"The peace of the grave, man," retorted Chauvelin roughly; "if you will
only speak. Where is Capet?"

"I cannot tell you; the way is long, the road--intricate."

"Bah!"

"I'll lead you to him, if you will give me rest."

"We don't want you to lead us anywhere," growled Heron with a smothered
curse; "tell us where Capet is; we'll find him right enough."

"I cannot explain; the way is intricate; the place off the beaten track,
unknown except to me and my friends."

Once more that shadow, which was so like the passing of the hand of
Death, overspread the prisoner's face; his head rolled back against the
chair.

"He'll die before he can speak," muttered Chauvelin under his breath.
"You usually are well provided with brandy, citizen Heron."

The latter no longer demurred. He saw the danger as clearly as did his
colleague. It had been hell's own luck if the prisoner were to die now
when he seemed ready to give in. He produced a flask from the pocket of
his coat, and this he held to Blakeney's lips.

"Beastly stuff," murmured the latter feebly. "I think I'd sooner
faint--than drink."

"Capet? where is Capet?" reiterated Heron impatiently. "One--two--three
hundred leagues from here. I must let one of my friends know; he'll
communicate with the others; they must be prepared," replied the
prisoner slowly.

Heron uttered a blasphemous oath.

"Where is Capet? Tell us where Capet is, or--"

He was like a raging tiger that bad thought to hold its prey and
suddenly realised that it was being snatched from him. He raised his
fist, and without doubt the next moment he would have silenced forever
the lips that held the precio