us as before, but Chauvelin's keen
eyes had not missed the almost imperceptible tightening of the jaw and
the rapid clenching of one hand on the sword hilt even whilst the other
toyed in graceful idleness with the filmy Mechlin lace cravat.

Sir Percy's head was well thrown back, and the pale rays of the moon
caught the edge of the clear-cut profile, the low massive brow, the
drooping lids through which the audacious plotter was lazily regarding
the man who held not only his own life, but that of the woman who was
infinitely dear to him, in the hollow of his hand.

"I am afraid, Sir Percy," continued Chauvelin drily, "that you are under
the impression that bolts and bars will yield to your usual good luck,
now that so precious a life is at stake as that of Lady Blakeney."

"I am a greater believer in impressions, Monsieur Chauvelin."

"I told her just now that if she quitted Boulogne ere the Scarlet
Pimpernel is in our hands, we should summarily shoot one member of every
family in the town--the bread-winner."

"A pleasant conceit, Monsieur... and one that does infinite credit to
your inventive faculties."

"Lady Blakeney, therefore, we hold safely enough," continued Chauvelin,
who no longer heeded the mocking observations of his enemy; "as for the
Scarlet Pimpernel..."

"You have but to ring a bell, to raise a voice, and he too will be under
lock and key within the next two minutes, eh?... Passons, Monsieur...
you are dying to say something further... I pray you proceed... your
engaging countenance is becoming quite interesting in its seriousness."

"What I wish to say to you, Sir Percy, is in the nature of a proposed
bargain."

"Indeed?... Monsieur, you are full of surprises... like a pretty
woman.... And pray what are the terms of this proposed bargain?"

"Your side of the bargain, Sir Percy, or mine? Which will you hear
first?"

"Oh yours, Monsieur... yours, I pray you.... Have I not said that you
are like a pretty woman?... Place aux dames, sir! always!"

"My share of the bargain, sir, is simple enough: Lady Blakeney, escorted
by yourself and any of your friends who might be in this city at
the time, shall leave Boulogne harbour at sunset to-morrow, free and
unmolested, if you on the other hand will do your share..."

"I don't yet know what my share in this interesting bargain is to be,
sir... but for the sake of argument let us suppose that I do not carry
it out.... What then?..."

"Then, Sir Percy