o me at once. Come alone and secretly. Honor
depends upon your compliance! S."

"Surigny!" muttered Ensign Darrin, disgustedly, under his breath.
"That impossible scoundrel! He has sold himself to those plotters, and
now would betray me. The wretch!"

Yet, after a moment's thought, Dave decided to see the man.

Bending over, Dave whispered to Dan the message contained in the note.

"Are you going?" quivered Dan, his eyes flashing indignation.

"Yes."

"And I?"

"You will remain here, Dan. Tell the others if you can do so without
being overheard. Make my excuses after I have left you."

Then, his head erect, his heart pumping indignantly, Dave Darrin rose
and sought the waiter, who lingered at the end of the room.

CHAPTER XIX

TRUTH, OR FRENCH ROMANCE

"You know what is expected of you?" Dave asked the waiter, in an
undertone.

"Yes, Master," replied the man, a Maltese who spoke English with an
odd accent.

"Then I will follow you," Darrin added.

At the heels of the waiter Dave went through a narrow corridor, then
climbed a flight of stairs.

Pausing before a door, the waiter knocked softly, four times.

"_Entrez, s'il vous plait_" ("Come in, if you please"), a voice
answered.

Throwing open the door, the waiter bowed and swiftly departed.

Ensign Dave Darrin stepped inside, closed the door, and found himself
face to face with the Count of Surigny.

That young Frenchman, his face unwontedly pale, searched Dave's face
with his eyes.

"You are not glad to see me," he said at last.

"Do I show it?" inquired Darrin, his face without expression.

"You are not glad to see me," Surigny went on rather sadly. "Then it
is because you suspect."

"Suspect--what?" Dave demanded, to gain time.

"You know the company that I have been keeping," the young Count
continued.

"Has it been the wrong kind of company for a gentleman to keep?"
Ensign Darrin asked coldly.

"You know!" cried the Count bitterly.

"Then," asked Dave, "is it indiscreet for me to ask why you have
permitted yourself to associate with such company?"

"I doubt if you would believe me," replied Surigny, wincing.

"Is there any good reason why I should believe you?" Dave returned,
studying the Frenchman's face.

"Perhaps none so good as the fact that I am a gentleman," the Count of
Surigny answered more boldly. "The word of a gentleman is always
sacred."

"May I ask to what this talk is leading?"

"I hardl