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234 "My only regret is, that I did not shoot him down." The answer was brief and stern. He could have shot down the man before him.

"Ah! great pity you didn't. Chivalry is wasted on these condottieri; I have seen too much of the scamps in Italy. That was a strange affair, that, in the Carpathians? Motive was political, I should suppose?" "Probably. Politics is the hospital for broken scoundrels." Vane laughed softly and merrily. He was a polished gentleman and a polished diplomatist, and never betrayed it if he were hit.

"True enough! I used to busy myself with politics once on a time; but, on my soul, I found myself in such bad company, that I was glad to throw up the cards, and leave the tables. Voiia ! two of my best friends! Allow me the honour of introducing them to one who, before long, I hope, will let me claim him to make a trio! The Count Laraxa—Baron Falkenstiern—Sir Fulke Erceldoune." Erceldoune looked at the two men—Hungarian and Thessalian. There was nothing of the adventurer or the chevalier d'industrie, however, about