es don't allow me to fight.
When a man has an income of a million, he doesn't care to expose himself
to the dangers of a duel."

"But, prince, in France folks don't do a scoundrel the honor to cross
swords with him."

"That's just what my steward, who is a Frenchman, told me; but no
matter. Besides, I am not sufficiently sure of the man's guilt to noise
it abroad. I have no positive proofs as yet."

He was evidently terribly frightened, and the first thing to be done was
to reassure him. "Come," insisted the baron, "tell us the man's name.
This gentleman here"--pointing to Pascal--"is one of my most esteemed
friends. I will answer for him as I would for myself; and we will swear
upon our honor not to reveal the secret we ask you for, without your
permission."

"Truly?"

"You have our word of honor," replied both the baron and Pascal in a
breath.

After casting a half-frightened glance around him, the worthy Turk
seemed to gather courage. But no! He deliberated some time, and then
rejoined: "Really, I'm not sufficiently convinced of the accuracy of my
suspicions to incur the risk of accusing a man who belongs in the very
best society; a man who is very rich and very highly respected, and who
would tolerate no imputations upon his character."

It was plain that he would not speak. The baron shrugged his shoulders,
but Pascal stepped bravely forward. "Then I will tell you, prince," he
said, "the name that you are determined to hide from us."

"Oh!"

"But you must allow me to remark that the baron and myself retract the
promise we made you just now."

"Naturally."

"Then, your defrauder is the Marquis de Valorsay!"

If Kami-Bey had seen an emissary of his sovereign enter the
room carrying the fatal bow-string he would not have seemed more
terror-stricken. He sprang nervously on to his short, fat legs, his eyes
wildly dilating and his hands fluttering despairingly. "Don't speak so
loud! don't speak so loud!" he exclaimed, imploringly.

As he did not even attempt to deny it, the truth of the assertion might
be taken for granted. But Pascal was not content with this. "Now that we
know the fact, I hope, Prince, that you will be sufficiently obliging to
tell us how it all happened," he remarked.

Poor Kami. He was in despair. "Alas!" he replied, reluctantly, "nothing
could be more simple. I wanted to set up a racing stable. Not that I
care much for sport. I can scarcely distinguish a horse from a mule--but
mo