lde, I will go with you.'

'You!' Isolde turned with a startling look of dislike and suspicion.
'No, I hate you, and I choose to go alone!'

Valerie drew back and Madame de Sagan passed her by and flung wide the
door. As she did so a confused noise could be heard, and the two women
stood listening while a distant hubbub of voices rose louder, then a
pistol shot followed by others echoed down the passages.

'He is dead! By your fault!'

Isolde turned upon Valerie with a wild gesture, as if she would have
struck her.

Valerie drew back.

'If you really loved him, Isolde, you would rather he was--there--with
his honour--than--here--without it,' she said.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE SWORD OF UNZIAR.

The Castle of Sagan may be roughly divided into three irregular parts.
The massive old keep dominates all, standing high and black against the
skyline; then the varied cluster of buildings immediately around its
foot contain the principal reception and living rooms, and lowest of all
the courtyards, kitchens, stables and offices. To the right of the keep
a wing, curved like the fluke of an anchor, slopes down to a lower
level. This portion is fairly modern and arranged for the housing of
guests. The Countess's own apartments were situated at the junction of
this wing with the main building, while the quarters assigned by ancient
custom to the use of the reigning Duke during his visits to Sagan
occupies the whole upper floor of an old and bulky annex that juts out
from the base of the keep.

The passage leading to this annex branched from the head of the grand
staircase. Upon the landing rows of heavily armed men were gathering
noiselessly.

As Elmur and Sagan stood together waiting at the mouth of the Duke's
corridor, the Count turned to his companion.

'Have you proposals ready to lay before his Highness?' he demanded.

'In form,' returned Elmur, touching his pocket.

'That is well, for you are about to present them. The Duke lies
practically in my power at this moment,' Count Simon continued grimly.
'Gustave is a coward. The way to his presence lies open, and I think you
will agree with me that his Highness of Maasau will consent to most
things rather than look the fear of death in the eyes!'

'There must be no violence,' Elmur began.

'That shall be exactly as I choose,' Sagan swore with an oath. 'By the
good God we can't afford scruples to-night!'

After a short interval he went on.

'Once we have G