“‘Mr. Voltaire,’ said a voice, ’you have been out looking for Mr. Blake; have you found him?’”

“‘Mr. Blake is safe in bed before this, Miss Forrest—­probably asleep,’ was his reply.”

“Miss Forrest!” I cried.  “Did she go to him?”

“Evidently,” replied Tom.  “Indeed, I found out afterwards that she had been very anxious.  She had seen you go out, and watched Voltaire and me, who went in search of you, and would not retire until she knew your whereabouts.”

“Well, what then?”

“I went into the room.  I could not stand and play the eavesdropper.  Miss Forrest seemed very glad to see me, and said eagerly—­

“’I came down to ask whether you had found Mr. Blake.  I am glad he is safe.’

“‘And he must remain safe!’ cried Voltaire.

“‘Why?’ asked Miss Forrest.

“‘Miss Forrest,’ cried Voltaire, vehemently, ’you have been deprived of your rest to-night in order to know about one who is guilty of what you English people call a foul crime, but which I call a deed that must be avenged.’

“‘I do not understand you.’

“’Ah!  Miss Forrest, we Easterns are not like you English people.  You are cool and considerate; we are warm and impulsive.  Kaffar was not one that could be loved by you cold people; but I loved him.  We were more than brothers.  I know he was faulty, I know he dared the anger of your English giant, but I did not think it would come to this.’

“‘Come to what?’ she asked eagerly.

“‘Voltaire,’ I said, ‘is this quite fair?’

“‘No, no!’ he cried; ’but I am so excited that I can scarcely master myself.  I will say no more.’

“‘Come to what?’ repeated Miss Forrest.

“‘I will not say,’ replied Voltaire.  ’I will not wound your tender nature; I will not tell you a tale of villainy; I will not cause a ripple on the even stream of your life.  Retire to rest, sweet lady, and think that what I have said is a dream.’

“‘Villainy!’ cried she.  ’Tell me what it is.  Yes, there is villainy, I think.  I will be answered!  Tell me the truth!’

“Even Voltaire was cowed by her words.  He stood and looked at her for a minute as if in doubt what to do.  Then he burst out passionately—­

“’Yes, I will answer you.  I will tell you now what all the world must know to-morrow.  I had hoped to spare your feelings, but the tone of your demand makes me speak.’

“‘He has no proof for what he is going to say,’ I said.

“‘Proof!’ cried Voltaire.  ’There is sufficient proof for an English court of law, and that law is terribly hard on murderers.’

“‘Murderers!’ cried Miss Forrest.  ‘What do you mean?’

“‘This!’ cried Voltaire.  ’You saw Kaffar challenge Mr. Blake in the drawing-room?’

“’I saw him insult Mr. Blake.  I saw that Mr. Blake refrained from crushing him beneath his heel like a reptile.  I saw that!’ she cried excitedly.