"'Tis like her!" And pointing his guest to a cushioned chest which stood against the wall, he sat down in a chair beside the table and thought awhile, his brow wrinkled, his eyes dreaming.

By-and-by he laughed sourly.

"You have lighted the fire," he said, "and would fain I put it out." "We would have you hinder it spreading." "You have done the deed and are loth to pay the blood-money.

That is it, is it?
"We prefer to pay it to M.de Biron," Count Hannibal answered civilly.
Again the Grand Master was silent awhile.

At length he looked up and fixed Tavannes with eyes keen as steel.
"What is behind ?" he growled.