"I am no wizard to read what I cannot see, monsieur."
"No wizard; you hear that, Duke. No wizard. Yet something of a wizard surely—to write what you have never seen."
Gerard on the instant understood what had occurred, but his face gave no sign and he stared steadily into de Proballe's sneering face.
"Come, Gerard, come. You must know it. It is your own letter just arrived from you."
The Governor understood it now, and with evidences of great excitement he tore the paper from de Proballe's hand and read it.
He glanced from it to Gerard, and smiled—a smile full of sinister meaning.
"Do you say you do not know this?"
Gerard maintained the same calm collected attitude. He was considering what course to adopt.
"You hear? Either you know what is written here or you are some lying impostor masquerading in a false name.
"Gerard! Gerard!" cried Gabrielle, intensely moved.
"Aye, Gerard—or some other name,'" sneered de Proballe. "Ask his name, Gabrielle."
"Now, monsieur, at once if you please," said the Governor, in a stern imperative tone. "Speak, or I call my guards. Do you know this paper? If not, who are you and why are you here?"
