Charles gave the man in charge formally. Paul Finglemore insisted that he should specify the nature of the particular accusation. To my great chagrin, Charles selected from his rogueries, as best within the jurisdiction of the English courts, the matter of the payment for the Castle of Lebenstein—made in London, and through a London banker. 'I have a warrant on that ground,' he said. I trembled as he spoke. I felt at once that the episode of the commission, the exposure of which I dreaded so much, must now become public.
The policeman took the man in charge. Charles still held to him, grimly. As they were leaving the room the prisoner turned to Césarine, and muttered something rapidly under his breath, in German. 'Of which tongue,' he said, turning to us blandly, 'in spite of my kind present of a dictionary and grammar, you still doubtless remain in your pristine ignorance!'
Césarine flung herself upon him with wild devotion. 'Oh, Paul, darling,' she cried, in English, 'I will not, I will not! I will never save myself at your expense. If they send you to prison—Paul, Paul, I will go with you!'
I remembered as she spoke what Mr. Algernon Coleyard had said to us at the Senator's. 'Even the worst of rogues have always some good in them. I notice they often succeed to the end in retaining the affection and fidelity of women.'
But the man, his hands still free, unwound her
