his vain and reckless speech
came from the heart, and how much of it was merely a mask with which to
test my purpose, I could not determine, yet I remained resolute
regarding my own duty, and accordingly sat coolly down upon the chest,
determined to play out his own game with him to the bitter end.

"Quite true, Chevalier," I said, smiling pleasantly, as if I entered
fully into his reckless spirit. "Doubtless you are right--needs must
when the devil drives. Could you spare me a morsel of that same
tobacco, until I test the quality of which you complain?" I produced a
pipe from the recesses of my monk's habit, knocking the ashes out
carelessly against the chest.

He passed over his pouch in silence.

"When one resteth between His Satanic Majesty and the deep sea it makes
small odds at the best which direction he turns. It becomes merely a
matter of taste. Death," I continued musingly as I deliberately rammed
home a charge into the bowl, "must be about the same to one man as to
another, except for matter of temperament; so if you can afford to sit
here and welcome its coming, so can I."

"Do you mean you are sufficiently crazy to remain deliberately and die
with me?"

"Certainly. I pledged your devoted wife I would rescue you, or never
return alive myself. As you stubbornly refuse to listen to reason,
this seems to be all that is left me. Opinions might differ as to
which was crazed, but as to that we will probably neither of us ever
know. May I trouble you for a light?"

I leaned forward, coolly helping myself to the burning cigarette he
held forth doubtingly between his fingers, and, puffing vigorously,
silently resumed my seat.

"My wife, say you?" A fresh interest appeared to sweep over him at the
word, overcoming his indifference. "Did Eloise de Noyan send you here
seeking to succor me?"

"It was at her request I came; at her wish I stay," I answered firmly.

"You knew her?"

"Several years since, when she was scarcely more than a girl; yet she
retained sufficient faith to call upon me in extremity."

He sat staring at me as if he would like to question further.

"The Lord love us, you are a cool fish," he finally exclaimed, bringing
his hand down upon his knee, and speaking with fresh animation in his
soft voice. "What is more, I rather like you. So Eloise really wishes
me to desert the Dons? Queer choice that, for she would make a lovely
widow. Oh, well, what's the odds? 'Tis only th