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64 have always thought the few disorders they committed very much exaggerated, and their final overthrow a misfortune for France."

"Great heavens!" exclaimed Colonel Corbin, falling back in his chair; but finding nothing else to say, he poured out a glass of Apollinaris and gulped it down in portentous silence.

"No doubt you are right," said Miss Maywood, turning her fresh, handsome face on Mr. Romaine. "One never can get at the truth of these things. The Communists were beaten, and so they were wrong."

There was a slight pause, during which Sir Archy and Farebrother exchanged sympathetic grins; they saw how the land lay, and then Letty spoke up calmly.

"I can't agree with Mr. Romaine," she said in her clear voice. "I think the Communists were the most frightful wretches that ever drew breath. To think of their murdering that brave old archbishop."

"Political necessity, my dear young lady," murmured Mr. Romaine. "M. Darboy brought his fate on himself."

"However," retorted Letty with a gay smile, "it is just possible that you may be guying