Berain, sitting on the ground and painfully regaining his breath. He's in a pitiable state. His bare skull is a brick red, and his great eyes seem to be staring out of their orbits. Poor St. Berain!

Mssrs. Barsac and Poncin seem in better condition. They are standing, and exercising their joints. Why shouldn't I do likewise then?

But I can't see Tongane anywhere. Where can he be? Was he killed in the attack upon us? That's only too likely, and perhaps that's why Malik is sobbing so loudly. I, too, feel distressed, and I give a pitiful thought to the brave and faithful Tongane.

I get up and go towards Miss Blazon, without anyone saying anything to me. My legs are stiff, and I cannot move quickly. Captain Rufus precedes me.

"How's Mademoiselle Mornas?" he asks Dr. Chaton-nay.

Of course. Ex-lieutenant Lacour knows our fair comrade only under her borrowed name.

"Better," the doctor tells him. "Look she's opening her eyes."

"Can we get away?" asks the so-called captain.

"Not for an hour," Dr. Chatonnay declares firmly, "and what's more, unless you want to kill the lot of us, I advise you to adopt less barbarous methods than those you've been using so far."'

Captain Rufus goes off without a reply. I walk up after him, and cxmfirm that Miss Blazon is indeed returning to herself. Soon, helped by Dr. Chatonnay, who was kneeling beside her, she gets up. Then M. Barsac and M. Poncin come to join us. We are complete.

"Forgive me, my friends!" Miss Blazon says suddenly, great tears flowing from her eyes. "It was I who dragged you into this frightful predicament. But for me, you would still be safe...."

We protest, as might well be supposed, but Miss Blazon goes on accursing herself and begging our pardon. Not being much given to self-pity, I think that these words are useless, and that it would be better to turn the conversation.

As Miss Blazon was known simply under the name of Momas, I suggest it would be better to let her keep that pseudonym. Is it impossible, indeed, that there might be some of her brother's onetime followers among these rascals around us? If so, what's the use of incurring further damage, whatever it may be? This is approved unanimously. It is agreed that Miss Blazon will become Mlle Momas, as before.

It's time we arrived at that conclusion, for our talk is suddenly interrupted. At a curt order from Captain Rufus, wre are brutally seized. Three men devote themselves to my humble person.