Page:The Specimen Case.djvu/107

98 du Temple—Louis Dumont. Surely you have not forgotten?"

"Forgotten! I should think not. And is it really you, Dumont, after all these years? A strange chance that brings us thus together!"

"Strange indeed! And wearing each other's hat, it would appear. At least, this one feels uncommonly tight to me."

"I believe you are right, Louis. There is an unusual roominess in the one that I have on" They laughed and exchanged hats, and Buton resumed, "Since we must exchange hats, we may as well exchange confidences. What brings you here at this hour?"

"Agreed," responded Dumont. "All the same, you are about the only man to whom I would care to confide the nature of my errand. Briefly, it is a matter of the public good and of private vengeance."

"Vengeance?"

"Just retribution, let us rather say. In the years since we lost sight of one another, Philippe, I have become married"

"I congratulate you!"

"You have small reason to do so. I do not speak of it more than is necessary. You understand? The man on whom I would be avenged is an aristocrat. At his hands I have suffered a wrong which nothing but his death can satisfy. And I have justice on my side, Philippe; justice and morality and the public welfare. Already this beggarly marquis has been condemned by the Committee, and his execution is only a matter of bringing him to trial. But he fled, and for six months has been abroad. Now, by the merest chance, I have heard something from which I gather that he has secretly returned and at this moment is in Paris."

"I see," interrupted Buton. "And you would seek out