r his
secretary, Carteaux?"

"Nothing very clear, sir; but enough to bring me here instantly to have
the thing explained to me."

"Pray read this statement."

De Courval read Carteaux's deposition and, flushing with sudden anger he
threw the paper on the table. "So it seems I deliberately waylaid and
shot the secretary of an envoy in order to steal his despatches."

"That is the charge, made by a man who I am assured is dying. You can
have no objection to my asking you a few questions."

"None. I shall like it."

"Did you shoot this man?"

"I did. He was of the mock court which murdered my father at Avignon.
Any French gentleman here can tell you--Du Vallon for one, and De
Noailles. Of the direct personal part this man took in causing my
father's death I have not talked. Twice he has had the equal chance I
would have given a gentleman. Yes, I meant to kill him."

"But, Vicomte--"

"Pardon me." And he told briefly the story of Carteaux's treacherous
shot and of why for a while it seemed well to Schmidt to silence the
man.

"It was unwise. A strange and sad affair," said the secretary, "but,
Monsieur, it is only this recent matter which concerns me, and the fact,
the unfortunate fact, that your enemy was a bearer of despatches. Who
can substantiate your statement as against that of a man said to be
dying? Who can I call upon?"

"No one. Mr. Schmidt saw it. He is in Europe. The man lies. It is his
word or mine. He says here nothing of its being only a personal quarrel;
and why did he wait? Ah, clearly until Schmidt, who saw it all, had gone
to Europe and I was absent."

"Why he waited I cannot say. The rest concerns me greatly. Did you
destroy his despatches?"

"_Mon Dieu!_ I? No. Mr. Schmidt, in cutting open his clothes to get at
his wound, found those papers, and then seeing what I had done, and how
the department might be credited with it, or at least the English party,
I myself carried the despatch to its address, the captain of the _Jean
Bart_."

"Did you get a receipt?"

"I asked for it. It was refused. The captain was angry at what he said
had been dangerous delay, and refused unless I would come on board and
talk to him. I of course declined to do so. I would certainly have been
carried to France."

"She has sailed, the _Jean Bart?_"

"Yes, sir."

"Then what proof have you as against the deposition of a man _in
extremis?_"

"None but my word, that I gave to an officer of the corvette a p