anticipated." His words seemed to dissolve the lethargy which his presence had cast over the dying man. He turned away towards the younger figure by his side. "How came he here?" he asked feebly. "Listen, and I will tell you," was the low reply. "I sought him first at Monaco, but he had not been [pg 28] heard of there for two years. Then I found traces of him at Algiers; and followed up the clue to Cairo, Athens, Syracuse, and Belgrade. It was at Constantinople I found him at last—an officer—actually an officer in the Turkish army; 'Monsieur le Captaine,' my interpreter called him," the young man added, with a fine scorn in his raised voice. "Imagine it! Well, I gave him your letter, delivered the messages, and awaited his pleasure. He kept me waiting for two days before he vouchsafed one word of answer. On the third day he announced his intention of accompanying me here. Nothing that I could say made any difference. 'His answer should be given to you in person, or not at all.' I wrote to you three days before we started; that letter you never had. Forgive me, father, for the shock! As for you," he continued, turning abruptly towards the motionless figure at the foot of the bed, "I have kept my word, and brought you here in safety, though no one in the world will ever know how near I came to breaking it, and throwing you into the Dardanelles. Ah! I was sorely tempted, I can tell you. Speak your answer, and go! This is no place for you to linger in." [pg 28] "Upon my word, you are courteous, very! But, my dear friend Martin, as this is to be our farewell, I must really see you a little more distinctly." [pg 29] [pg 29] For the first time, the man in the long overcoat changed his position, and came a little nearer to the bed. The movement showed him the priest, kneeling with closed eyes and uplifted hands before an iron crucifix. "Ah! we are not quite alone then, Martin, cher ami! the gentleman in the long robe appears to be listening." "He is as dead," answered the man on the bed slowly. "He is a monk; you can speak." He raised himself slightly on the bed. One hand remained grasping his despatch-box under the bedclothes; the other was held by the young man who
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