y part," replied the Colonel.

"And for mine," said the Prince, "I have given you proof. Who but a
ruined man would throw his notes into the fire? The action speaks for
itself."

"A ruined man--yes," returned the other suspiciously, "or else a
millionaire."

"Enough, sir," said the Prince; "I have said so, and I am not accustomed
to have my word remain in doubt."

"Ruined?" said the young man. "Are you ruined, like me? Are you, after a
life of indulgence, come to such a pass that you can only indulge
yourself in one thing more? Are you"--he kept lowering his voice as he
went on--"are you going to give yourselves that last indulgence? Are you
going to avoid the consequences of your folly by the one infallible and
easy path? Are you going to give the slip to the sheriff's officers of
conscience by the one open door?"

Suddenly he broke off and attempted to laugh.

"Here is your health!" he cried, emptying his glass, "and good-night to
you, my merry ruined men."

Colonel Geraldine caught him by the arm as he was about to rise.

"You lack confidence in us," he said, "and you are wrong. To all your
questions I make answer in the affirmative. But I am not so timid, and
can speak the Queen's English plainly. We too, like yourself, have had
enough of life, and are determined to die. Sooner or later, alone or
together, we meant to seek out death and beard him where he lies ready.
Since we have met you, and your case is more pressing, let it be
to-night--and at once--and, if you will, all three together. Such a
penniless trio," he cried, "should go arm-in-arm into the halls of
Pluto, and give each other some countenance among the shades!"

Geraldine had hit exactly on the manners and intonations that became the
part he was playing. The Prince himself was disturbed, and looked over
at his confidant with a shade of doubt. As for the young man, the flush
came back darkly into his cheek, and his eyes threw out a spark of
light.

"You are the men for me!" he cried, with an almost terrible gaiety.
"Shake hands upon the bargain!" (his hand was cold and wet). "You little
know in what a company you will begin the march! You little know in what
a happy moment for yourselves you partook of my cream tarts! I am only a
unit, but I am a unit in an army. I know Death's private door. I am one
of his familiars, and can show you into eternity without ceremony and
yet without scandal."

They called upon him eagerly to explain his mean