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182 speakable effrontery to stand there and admit it?'

'Certainly,' the Colonel answered, growing hot in turn. 'I have done nothing to be ashamed of. What do you mean by this conduct? How dare you talk of arresting me?'

Charles laid his hand on the man's shoulder. 'Come, come, my friend,' he said. 'That sort of bluff won't go down with us. You know very well on what charge I arrest you; and here are the police to give effect to it.'

He called out 'Entrez!' The police entered the room. Charles explained as well as he could in most doubtful Parisian what they were next to do. The Colonel drew himself up in an indignant attitude. He turned and addressed them in excellent French.

'I am an officer in the service of her Britannic Majesty,' he said. 'On what ground do you venture to interfere with me, messieurs?'

The chief policeman explained. The Colonel turned to Charles. 'Your name, sir?' he inquired.

'You know it very well,' Charles answered. 'I am Sir Charles Vandrift; and, in spite of your clever disguise, I can instantly recognise you. I know your eyes and ears. I can see the same man who cheated me at Nice, and who insulted me on the island.'

'You Sir Charles Vandrift!' the rogue cried. 'No, no, sir, you are a madman!' He looked round at the police. 'Take care what you do!' he cried.