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ASCAL was all laughter and sallies as he led the way up to their apartments, but Gerard was in no such mood. He was very serious and full of misgivings at the course things were taking. There were more than enough complications in the position already without the additional embarrassment of the bestowal of a prisoner.

It was not without some sense of relief, therefore, that he saw Pascal start as he entered the room, and heard him exclaim in a tone of dismay—

"The sly devil has wriggled out, Gerard. By my shroud, I had not deemed it possible. I put him in there and shot the bolt upon him"; and he pointed to an empty closet.

"Never mind. Perhaps it is best so," answered Gerard with a smile. "An honest man can't always beat a rogue at his own trade, it seems."

"Aye, laugh away; but he'll not laugh if ever I set eyes on him again, the sneaking mongrel."

"For not waiting for your return, you mean? He knows his business, at any rate."

"Aye, that's certain; but the point is how much he knows of yours?" retorted Pascal. "I'll forgive him for knowing his own, but he shall pay the price for meddling in mine. Were I not a fool I had mounted guard over him and waited for you to come here."

"Are you sure he was spying upon us?"

"Am I sure that we are on a queer quest here? Who can have turned him on to such a scent?"