then decided that it was more prudent to confront the danger than attempt to fly without the chance of escaping. He advanced therefore toward the scouts, who were assembled at the foot of the ladder in animated discussion. At sight of the young man, who emerged briskly from the thicket, there was a general sensation. The more prudent remained quiet; the bolder threw themselves upon d'Aubian, whom they did not at the moment recognize. 'What's the matter, Piquet?' said Arthur, shaking off the leader of the nocturnal expedition, who had seized him by the collar. 'How! what! is it you, Monsieur Arthur?' said the gardener, astounded at this rencounter. 'What has happened? and what is the meaning of all this stir?' replied the young man. 'Oh, good heavens!' said Piquet, 'poor Monsieur Gorsay has just been assassinated!' 'Assassinated!' exclaimed d'Aubian, turning deadly pale. 'All bathed in blood! with a great gash in his side in which you may put your hand! It is all over with him, poor gentleman! We are now after the assassin, who you may see has got off at this place, for here is my ladder which the gallows-bird has used. But how comes it, Monsieur d'Aubian, that you are in the park at this time of night?' continued he, regarding the young man with a look of suspicion. Arthur had had time to invent a story to account for his unexpected appearance on this occasion. 'From what you tell me,' said he, 'I am sure that I have seen the assassin.' 'Seen him! Who is he? Did you recognize him?' demanded all at once the three men, pressing round him. 'I was returning from Canderol,' said d'Aubian; 'on my way home I passed along the foot-path on the outside of the park. Suddenly I perceived a man letting himself slip down the wall. This excited my suspicions, and I advanced toward him, but at sight of me he instantly took to his heels, and disappeared in the fields. In his stead I only found a cord hooked to the wall. Fearing lest some mishap had befallen Monsieur Gorsay, I clambered over the wall by means of this cord, in order to reach the house more quickly and give the alarm; which I was about to do when I saw your lanterns.' 'And did you recognize him? this robber?' asked one of the domestics. 'No,' replied Arthur, calling to mind the threat of the convict. 'It could only have been Bonnemain who has done this deed,' said Piquet; 'I always mistrusted that sulky wretch.' One of the men who had been ferretting along the wall, now suddenly raised himself. 'Here is a knife!' said he; 'and there is blood upon it!' The instrument of murder passed from hand to hand. It was one of those poniards without a sheath, known as Catalonian knives, the blade of which on opening is fastened by a spring. The steel had been carefully wiped, but in the groove of the handle might be seen traces of blood which had not been completely effaced.