laughed meaningly, basely, leering at the girl in hideous suggestiveness that made her shudder; and which his wretched companions found highly amusing. 

 "You have done well," said the young officer quickly, although he was cold with rage at the ruffian's low insinuation.  "I hope to have some interest with the king later. If you will give me your names I will see that you are rewarded." 

 "Never mind our names," growled the leader, still suspicious, evidently. 

 "Food and drink would reward us better now," shouted a second. 

 "Aye," yelled one of the others, seconding this happy thought.  "We have eaten nothing since yesterday, and as for drink, it is a week since my lips have tasted a swallow of wine." 

 "And what would you give me if I could procure you some of the fine wine of the country, my friends?" said Marteau quietly, putting great restraint upon himself to continue trafficking with these scoundrels. 

 "Give? Anything," answered several in chorus, their red eyes gleaming. 

 "If you've got it we'll take it for nothing," said the brutal leader with ferocious cunning. 

 "Do I look as if I concealed wine and provisions on my person?" asked the officer boldly, confident now that he had found the way to master these men. 

 "No," was the answer.  "But where is it?" 

 "And be quick about it," cried a second threateningly.  "Those Russians may be back at any moment." 

 "Is this a jest?" asked a third with a menacing gesture. 

 "It would be ill-done to joke with men as hungry as you are, I take it," answered Marteau. 

 "Hurry, then," cried a fourth. 

 "In good time, my friends. First, a word with you. What are you going to do with those two prisoners?" 

 "Knock the men in the head, I told you," answered the leader. 

 "And the woman?" 

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