be sent back to his law offices."

"No, I didn't hear it from M'sieu' Barouche. I get it from better hands
than his," answered Roudin.

"Better hands than his, eh? From the lady herself, perhaps?"

"Yes, from the lady herself, m'sieu'."

"Then bring the lady here and let us have it out, monsieur. It's a lie.
Bring the lady here, if you know her."

Roudin shrugged a shoulder. "I know what I know, and I don't have to do
what you say--no--no!"

"Then you're not honest. You do me harm by a story like that. I
challenge you, and you don't respond. You say you know the woman, then
produce her--there's no time to be lost. The poll closes in four hours.
If you make such statements, prove them. It isn't playing the game--
do you think so, messieurs?" he added to the crowd which had grown in
numbers. At that moment a man came running from the en trance towards
Carnac. It was Denzil.

"A letter for you, an important letter," he kept crying as he came
nearer. He got the letter into Carnac's hands.

"Read it at once, m'sieu'," Denzil said urgently. Carnac saw the
handwriting was Junia's, and he tore open the letter, which held the blue
certificate of the marriage with Luzanne. He conquered the sudden
dimness of his eyes, and read the letter. It said: