t hand, covered with a handkerchief, he
held a pistol, which he aimed at the intruders.

"Surrender!" cried Gevrol.

The man's lips moved, but in spite of a visible effort he could not
articulate a syllable.

"Don't do any mischief," continued the inspector, "we are in force, you
can not escape; so lay down your arms."

"I am innocent," exclaimed the man, in a hoarse, strained voice.

"Naturally, but we do not see it."

"I have been attacked; ask that old woman. I defended myself; I have
killed--I had a right to do so; it was in self-defense!"

The gesture with which he enforced these words was so menacing that one
of the agents drew Gevrol violently aside, saying, as he did so; "Take
care, General, take care! The revolver has five barrels, and we have
heard but two shots."

But the inspector was inaccessible to fear; he freed himself from the
grasp of his subordinate and again stepped forward, speaking in a still
calmer tone. "No foolishness, my lad; if your case is a good one, which
is possible, after all, don't spoil it."

A frightful indecision betrayed itself on the young man's features. He
held Gevrol's life at the end of his finger, was he about to press the
trigger? No, he suddenly threw his weapon to the floor, exclaiming:
"Come and take me!" And turning as he spoke he darted into the adjoining
room, hoping doubtless to escape by some means of egress which he knew
of.

Gevrol had expected this movement. He sprang after him with outstretched
arms, but the table retarded his pursuit. "Ah!" he exclaimed, "the
wretch escapes us!"

But the fate of the fugitive was already decided. While Gevrol parleyed,
one of the agents--he who had peered through the shutters--had gone to
the rear of the house and effected an entrance through the back door. As
the murderer darted out, this man sprang upon him, seized him, and with
surprising strength and agility dragged him back. The murderer tried to
resist; but in vain. He had lost his strength: he tottered and fell upon
the table that had momentarily protected him, murmuring loud enough for
every one to hear: "Lost! It is the Prussians who are coming!"

This simple and decisive maneuvre on the part of the subordinate had won
the victory, and at first it greatly delighted the inspector. "Good, my
boy," said he, "very good! Ah! you have a talent for your business, and
you will do well if ever an opportunity--"

But he checked himself; all his followers so evidently