"Pardon! My mistake! As you were saying----" "'Tis you who attack us. You--the meddlesome Scarlet Pimpernel, with your accursed gang! . . . We defend ourselves as best we can, using what weapons lie closest to our hand----" "Such as murder, outrage, abduction . . . and wearing breeches the cut of which would provoke a saint to indignation!" "Murder, abduction, outrage, as you will, Sir Percy," Chauvelin retorted, as cool now as his opponent. "Had you ceased to interfere in the affairs of France when first you escaped punishment for your machinations, you would not now be in the sorry plight in which your own intrigues have at last landed you. Had you left us alone, we should by now have forgotten you." "Which would have been such a pity, my dear M. Chambertin," Blakeney rejoined gravely. "I should not like you to forget me. Believe me, I have enjoyed life so much these past two years,'I would not give up those pleasures even for that of seeing you and your friends have a bath or wear tidy buckles on your shoes." "You will have cause to indulge in those pleasures within the next few days, Sir Percy," Chauvelin rejoined dryly. "What?" Sir Percy exclaimed. "The Committee of Public Safety going to have a bath? Or the Revolutionary Tribunal? Which?" But Chauvelin was determined not to lose his temper again. Indeed, he abhorred this man so deeply that he felt no anger against him, no resentment; only a cold, calculating hate. "The pleasure of pitting your wits against the inevitable," he riposted dryly. "Ah?" quoth Sir Percy airily. "The inevitable has always been such a good friend to me." "Not this time, I fear, Sir Percy." "Ah? You really mean this time to----?" and he made a significant gesture across his own neck. "In as few days as possible." Whereupon Sir Percy rose, and said solemnly: "You are right there, my friend, quite right. Delays are always dangerous. If you mean to have my head, why--have it quickly. As for me, delays always bore me to tears." He yawned and stretched his long limbs. "I am getting so demmed fatigued," he said. "Do you not think this conversation has lasted quite long enough?" "It was none of my seeking, Sir Percy." "Mine, I grant you; mine, absolutely! But, hang it, man! I had to tell you that your breeches were badly cut." "And I, that we are at your service, to end the business as soon as may be." "To----?" And once more Sir Percy passed his firm hand across his throat. Then he gave a shudder. "B-r-r-r!" he exclaimed. "I had no idea you were in such a demmed hurry." "We await your pleasure, Sir Percy. Lady Blakeney must not be kept in suspense too long. Shall we say that in three days . . .?" "Make it four, my dear M. Chambertin, and I am eternally your debtor."