ce so ludicrous that that officer was himself startled, and
only held his ground on my saluting him civilly and declaring myself
his prisoner I added a warning that he should look to the torch which
remained; seeing that if it failed we were both like to have our throats
cut in the confusion.

He took the hint promptly, and calling the link-man to his side prepared
to descend, bidding Fresnoy and his men, who remained clumped at the
head of the stairs, make way for us without ado. They seemed much
inclined, however, to dispute our passage, and replying to his
invectives with rough taunts, displayed so hostile a demeanour that the
Provost, between regard for his own importance and respect for Bruhl,
appeared for a moment at a loss what to do; and seemed rather relieved
than annoyed when I begged leave to say a word to M. de Bruhl.

'If you can bring his men to reason,' he replied testily, 'speak your
fill to him!'

Stepping to the foot of the upper flight, on which Bruhl retained his
position, I saluted him formally. He returned my greeting with a
surly, watchful look only, and drawing his cloak more tightly round him
affected to gaze down at me with disdain; which ill concealed, however,
both the triumph he felt and the hopes of vengeance he entertained. I
was especially anxious to learn whether he had tracked his wife hither,
or was merely here in pursuance of his general schemes against me, and
to this end. I asked him with as much irony as I could compass to what
I was to attribute his presence. 'I am afraid I cannot stay to offer you
hospitality,' I continued; 'but for that you have only your friend M.
Villequier to thank!'

'I am greatly obliged to you,' he answered with a devilish smile, 'but
do not let that affect you. When you are gone I propose to help myself,
my friend, to whatever takes my taste.'

'Do you?' I retorted coolly--not that I was unaffected by the threat and
the villainous hint which underlay the words, but that, fully expecting
them, I was ready with my answer. 'We will see about that.' And
therewith I raised my fingers to my lips, and, whistling shrilly, cried
'Maignan! Maignan!' in a clear voice.

I had no need to cry the name a third time, for before the
Provost-Marshal could do more than start at this unexpected action,
the landing above us rang under a heavy tread, and the man I called,
descending the stairs swiftly, appeared on a sudden within arm's length
of M. de Bruhl; who, turnin