"To the best of my judgment, no, unless there be some internal injury, which is not likely, judging by the direction of the wound. It was a coward's thrust in truth, but like most coward's work, ill done, thank Heaven. It is mainly a flesh wound. But a surgeon should see it with as little delay as possible."
"There will be help from the maison directly. I have sent for it."
At that moment Denys opened his eyes and seeing Gabrielle he smiled faintly, and then frowned in surprise at her companion.
"You are not much hurt, my brave Denys," said Gabrielle, "and all is well with me."
Denys rolled his eyes round as if in search of some one, and Gabrielle was quick to understand.
"Lucette has gone for help, Denys; she will be back directly. All is well with her as with me." He smiled again, and making an ineffectual effort to speak, closed his eyes with a sigh of relief.
Then footsteps and voices were heard, and Lucette, with the Baron de Proballe and Jacques Dauban, came hurrying to the spot. Lucette threw herself beside Denys while de Proballe eyed the stranger with searching glances, and started slightly at the sound of his voice as he bade Lucette be cautious not to disturb Denys.
"There has been fighting, I hear, Gabrielle," he said.
"There has been murder attempted, uncle, and it would have been done but for the intervention of this gentleman, who drove the assassins off."
"We are deeply beholden to you, monsieur," said de Proballe courteously, "and on behalf of my niece, I thank you." While he spake he was searching his memory to recall where he had seen the stranger, whose face and voice he seemed to know.
"There is no need for thanks, monsieur," was the reply. "I did no more than any one would have done. But the
