"
"Would you just as soon explain to me--"
"It means that a certain young lady, like myself, believes in
your innocence."
"The countess?" Maurice cried eagerly, remembering the look of
the night before and the tears which were in it.
"I will not mention any names. Suffice it to say that it was due
to her pleading that I consented to play poker--and to let you
fall into my arms. Come, to work," holding out his hands.
First Maurice clasped the hand and wrung it. "Colonel, I do not
want you to get into trouble on my account--"
"Go along with you! If you were really important," in half a
banter, "it would be altogether a different matter. As it is,
you are more in the way than anything else, only Madame does not
see it in that light. Come, at my wrists, and take your
handkerchief and tie it over my mouth; make a complete job of it
while you're at it."
"But they'll wonder how I tied you--"
"By the book, the boy is quite willing to sit down and play
poker with me till the escort comes! Don't trouble yourself
about me; Madame has too much need of me to give me more than a
slight rating. Hurry and be off, and remember that Beauvais has
promised to push you off the board.
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