"Let us understand each other, Mr.Howard." "By all means." He gave a little laugh, and leaning forward took a quill pen from my writing-table, disliking idle fingers while he talked.
"That time has come, my friend.

Do you mean to stand by me ?" [Illustration: "LET US UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER, MR.

HOWARD."] "Yes." "You are a man of few words," he answered, looking at me with a new keenness which sat strangely on his benign features.

"But I want no more.

The government has fallen--the doctors say the Emperor's life is not worth that!" And he snapped his finger and thumb, glancing at the clock.