ould
move me. Enough, gentlemen," he continued imperiously as the two
Russians and the Englishman all began to speak at once. "No more.
Such propositions are insults."

"There is another appeal which ought to be brought to your attention,
young sir," said the second Russian officer when he could be heard.

"And what is that?"

"Your life. You know that as soon as day breaks the chateau will be
seized. You are a self-confessed spy. You came here wearing a Russian
uniform. As soon as we are released we shall hang you as a spy. But
if you release us now, on my word of honor you shall go free."

"Monsieur is a very brave man," said Marteau smiling.

"Why?"

"To threaten me with death while he is in my power. You are the only
witnesses. I could make way with you all."

"You forget the Countess and the English gentleman."

"Although the Countess is the enemy of France----"

"Nay, nay, the friend," interposed the girl.

"Be it so. Although she is the enemy of the Emperor then, I cannot
believe that she could condemn to death by her testimony the man who
has saved her from worse than death, and as for the English
gentleman----"

"Damme if I'd say a word to hurt you, if only for what you have done
for her, whether you release me or not," cried Yeovil.

"You see?"

"Monsieur Jean," said the Countess, "you put me under great obligations
to you."

"By saving your life, your honor, mademoiselle! I gladly----"

"By giving me your confidence," interrupted the girl, who in her secret
heart was delighted at the stand the young officer had taken. She
would have despised him if he had succumbed to the temptation of which
she herself was part.

"I could do no less, mademoiselle," returned Marteau. "I and my
forbears have served your house and known it and loved it for eight
hundred years."

"I know it," answered the girl. "I value the association. I am proud
of it."

"And since you know it and recognize it perhaps you will tell me how
you happen to be here."

"Willingly," answered Mademoiselle Laure. "The estates are to be sold.
There are deeds and papers of value in the chateau without which
transactions could not be completed. I alone knew where they were.
With Monsieur Yeovil, my uncle's friend and the father of----" she
hesitated and then went on, "so I came to France."

"But with the invading armies----"

"There was no other way. The Czar Alexander gave me a safe conduct. A
company of h