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"Really? Perhaps later on, but now you must obey. Quick, tell us what brought you here." "I am hungry," growled Simon. "Really? Well, if you answer my questions probably you shall have food and drink. Why did you want to poison Fanfaro?" "I do not know," stammered the steward. "How bad your memory is. What interest did your master, the Marquis of Fougereuse, have in Fanfaro's death?"

Pierre Labarre, the solitary horseman, was the confidential servant of the Marquis de Fougereuse, and the darker the road became the more uncomfortable he felt. He continually spurred on his horse, but the tired animal at every stride struck against tree roots which lined the narrow path.

Half an hour later the splendid halls of the Fougereuse mansion were deserted; the guests hurried to leave a house where such things had occurred. Like so many other places, Leigoutte had risen from the ashes after the war was over. A great sensation was caused one day by the appearance in the village of an old gray-headed man.

"You are speaking in riddles, marquis!" exclaimed Fougereuse, in amazement. "So much the worse for you, if your son's conduct must be told you by another party," said the old man, sternly. "What is the matter with my son?" "The Vicomte de Talizac has dishonored himself and the cause you serve." "My son is young and wild.

"My information is at an end," said the old man now, as he advanced a step nearer to the nobleman. "Fanfaro and Jacques Fougeres are identical with the Vicomte de Talizac's son." "It is a lie," hissed Fougereuse, "this Fanfaro was my brother's son; tell your fables to others." Instead of answering, Pierre Labarre searched in his breast-pocket and handed the marquis a package of papers.

"But only in case you are able to give the necessary guarantee. Marquis, adieu!" The Italian went away, and Fougereuse, entirely broken down, remained behind. He was still sitting thinking deeply, when Simon, who had remained behind the curtain and overheard the interview, softly stepped forth, and said: "Courage, marquis; there is no reason for despair.

The marquis and Pierre followed the procession with uncovered heads. When they arrived at the Fougereuse mansion, Fanfaro was laid beside his brother, and the marquis then said: "There is only one thing left for me I must bury my sons and then die myself." "But Madame la Marquise," said Pierre, anxiously.

While Baptiste and the marquise's maid hurried to her assistance, Fougereuse gazed vacantly before him, and then raising his head, he passionately exclaimed: "You lie my son had no duel!" "Would to God you were right, marquis," replied Gaston, sorrowfully; "unfortunately it is the truth. The vicomte and Arthur de Montferrand fought a duel, and the sword of the latter ran through Talizac's heart!"

He looked down upon the beggar nobility which fawned about the court, to receive money or favors. The old man looked pale. He hastily approached the marquis and said: "Marquis, you imagine you are a faithful adherent of the monarchy, but scandals such as take place to-day are not calculated to raise the Fougereuse and Talizacs in the estimation of the court."

The Marquis of Fougereuse was as white as a spectre. Was this Fanfaro going to pursue him forever? "Who is the bold fellow?" he audaciously said. "Throw him out." "Don't be so quick, marquis," said Fanfaro earnestly; "it is a question of a terrible crime, and your son the Vicomte de Talizac is the criminal! Oh, the shame of it! Does he think that because he is a nobleman he can do what he pleases?