"Hell gapes near us," he repeated.

"And I ask you, young man, what are you going to do ?" "I ?" "Yes, you!" Claude stared.

"What would you have me do ?" he asked.
"What would you have done last night ?" the Syndic retorted.

"Did you ask me then?
Did you wait for my permission?
Did you wait even for my presence ?" "No, but----" "But what ?" "Things are changed." "Changed?
How ?" Blondel's tone sank to one of unnatural calm; but his frame shook and his face was purple with the pressure he put upon himself.

"What is changed?
Who has changed it ?" he continued; to see his chance of life hang on the will of this imbecile was almost more than he could bear.