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Rh Dauban gazed at him a moment and then at Lucette, and in that moment the truth dawned upon him. He saw how he had been fooled, and with a cry of rage and despair, he raised his arm and rushed at Lucette to strike her. But Pascal caught his hand and thrust it back.

"Stay, little spy, stay. If you've a fancy for striking some one, strike me, not a girl."

"So you are not a coward. Is this the proof?" asked Lucette. "Master Dauban has brought me to Malincourt, monsieur, in order that I may get a disguise for Mademoiselle de Malincourt, and then go with him to Crevasse to find the fugitives there and hand over M. Gerard and the monk to the soldiery after enabling miladi to escape. He will be able to get me out of the city with a permit which he has thoughtfully brought with him."

Pascal laughed.

"You she-devil!" cried Dauban, white and trembling with his passion.

"Both you and Antoine had a frenzy to use me as a decoy; well, you have had your way—and a lesson," and with a laugh she went away.

"You seem to have made a mess of things, spy," said Pascal. "Give me the permit she spoke of."

"She lied, as she has lied all through. I have no such thing."

"Come, no nonsense," said Pascal sternly. "Hand it over. I am in good humour as yet, and may not hurt even you. But don't put me in a bad one."

"What does this mean?" asked Dauban.

"That you have come back to Malincourt. Will you give me that paper or shall I have it taken from you? I think you know whether I am safe to trifle to with," and he held out his hand.

With trembling fingers Dauban drew it from his pocket and handed it over; and Pascal called up a couple of men and gave him into their charge. Antoine he did not even