De Wardes went and awoke the sleeper, without any delay, and related the whole affair to him, which Manicamp listened to in perfect silence, but with an expression of momentarily increasing energy, of which his face could hardly have been supposed capable.

It was only when De Wardes had finished, that Manicamp uttered the words, "Let us go." As they proceeded, Manicamp became more and more excited, and in proportion as De Wardes related the details of the affair to him, his countenance assumed every moment a darker expression.

"And so," he said, when De Wardes had finished, "you think he is dead ?" "Alas, I do." "And you fought in that manner, without witnesses ?" "He insisted upon it." "It is very singular." "What do you mean by saying it is singular ?" "That it is very unlike Monsieur de Guiche's disposition." "You do not doubt my word, I suppose ?" "Hum! hum!" "You do doubt it, then ?" "A little.

But I shall doubt it more than ever, I warn you, if I find the poor fellow is really dead." "Monsieur Manicamp!" "Monsieur de Wardes!" "It seems you intend to insult me." "Just as you please.

The fact is, I never did like people who come and say, 'I have killed such and such a gentleman in a corner; it is a great pity, but I killed him in a perfectly honorable manner.' It has an ugly appearance, M.de Wardes." "Silence! we have arrived." In fact, the glade could now be seen, and in the open space lay the motionless body of the dead horse.