Sir Charles coughed behind his hand. "I am only afraid that your appetite may be spoiled," he observed. "Not at all," I retorted. "Watch me!" I began to eat, for in truth I was very hungry. "We shall see," he rejoined. "You have a nerve, I know, but keep on eating while I talk--if you can!" I nodded. "Jussieu was released last evening by a friend of yours, a little man named Du Gazet, who induced the manager of your hotel to break into your room." "Well?" I gasped. Sir Charles laughed. "Jussieu is here," he said. "He arrived two hours ago, and we know now that you have no connection with the police. We were fools indeed to allow you to frighten us away from the Rue D'Enghien. But then everything always happens for the best. We could hardly have disposed of you properly in the city, unless we prosecuted you for burglary, and such a course would not have suited me." "Do you intend to kill me?" "Yes." "When?" "After breakfast." "In broad daylight?" I asked, much astonished. "Ah! Mr. Hume," he replied, "I read your mind. But this chateau is placed in a wood, and is distant seven miles from the nearest human habitation, and as for the rest I had as lief destroy an enemy by day as by night." "Then I have not long to live?" "As one measures time." "And--Mar--Lady Dagmar?" "You will die together. In each other's arms, if you choose to be romantic." I turned to Marion, to find her eyes fixed upon my face. We gazed at each other for a long silent minute, and then, overcome by some strange emotion, I muttered brokenly, "Is it possible, after all, that I have wronged you?" "You have," she replied. "Can you forgive me?" I asked hoarsely. "It is late to make amends." "I was mad to doubt you. But, God knows, I suffered for it, Marion." "Venner!" said Dr. Fulton suddenly, "can I have a word with you?" "Certainly. Vernet, Beudant, I leave our guests to you." Sir Charles got up from the table and walked to the farther end of the room. "They will not kill you, Marion?" I asked in English. "Surely they are jesting." "Yes--and no," she said. "Last night they forced me to make a will leaving them my money. They tortured me." "How?" I gasped. "They dragged me to the room where you lay bound and senseless. If I had refused to obey they would have cut you into pieces before my eyes." "My God!" I cried. "And that broke your will. But I would have deserved it all for doubting you." "Not quite," she answered, and she smiled in exceeding sadness. "Marion, dear Marion," I whispered, "you love me still." She looked up at me and her eyes filled with tears. "How could you treat me so?" she muttered. I felt the blood rush of a sudden through my veins, singing a veritable poem of joy and triumph. We were both about to die, but Marion loved me, and by that knowledge I was transformed on the instant from a weak half-broken creature into a life-loving and most desperate man. I glanced quietly about me.