He looked warily round; the dark ramparts were quiet.

"I act but as a magistrate.
Were I a mere man and knew him, as I know him now, for what he is--a foul magician weaving his spells about the young, ensnaring, with his sorceries, the souls of innocent women, corrupting--but what is it, young man ?" "He is within ?" "No; he left the house a minute or so before you arrived.

But what is it ?" Seizing the young man's arm he restrained him.

"Where are you going ?" "To his room!" Claude answered between his set teeth.

"Be he man or devil--to his room!" "You dare ?" "I dare and I will!" Resisting the Syndic's feigned efforts to hold him back, he strode towards the door.