I succeeded. I have kept my vows, I have
done my duty. Be generous now, and let me go."

The sound of her voice maddened him. A passionate, arbitrary man, to
whom nothing in life had been denied, to be baulked in this great desire
of his latter days was intolerable. He made no answer to either of them.
He wrote a few lines with the yellow crayon and passed them silently
across to Lucille.

Her face blanched. She stretched out an unwilling hand. But Mr. Sabin
intervened. He took the paper from the Prince's hand, and calmly tore it
into fragments. There was a moment's breathless silence.

"Victor!" Lucille cried. "Oh, what have you done!"

The Prince's face lightened with an evil joy.

"We now, I think," he said, "understand one another. You will permit me
to wish you a very pleasant evening, and a speedy leave-taking."

Mr. Sabin smiled.

"Many thanks, my dear Prince," he said lightly. "Make haste and complete
your charming little arrangements. Let me beg of you to avoid bungling
this time. Remember that there is not in the whole of Europe to-day a
man more dangerous to you than I."

The Prince had departed. Mr. Sabin lit a cigarette and stood on the
hearthrug. His eyes were bright with the joy of fighting.

"Lucille," he said, "I see that you have not touched your liqueur.
Oblige me by drinking it. You will find it excellent."

She came over to him and hung upon his arm. He threw his cigarette away
and kissed her upon the lips.

"Victor," she murmured, "I am afraid. You have been rash!"

"Dearest," he answered, "it is better to die fighting than to stand
aside and watch evil things. But after all, there is no fear. Come! Your
cloak and dressing case!"

"You have plans?" she exclaimed, springing up.

"Plans?" He laughed at her a little reproachfully. "My dear Lucille! A
carriage awaits us outside, a special train with steam up at the Gard de
L'ouest. This is precisely the contingency for which I have planned."

"Oh, you are wonderful, Victor," she murmured as she drew on her coat.
"But what corner of the earth is there where we should be safe?"

"I am going," Mr. Sabin said, "to try and make every corner of the earth
safe."

She was bewildered, but he only laughed and held open the door for her.
Mr. Sabin made no secret of his departure. He lingered for a moment in
the doorway to light a cigarette, he even stopped to whisper a few
words to the little man in plain dinner clothes who was lounging in the