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"In the name of the Father and of the Son! foh! My Lord the

Count, are you a robber? By God, does this befit your birth, your

education, and the station you occupy in the world? I will not

permit myself to be wronged!"

Meanwhile the servants of the Judge had run up, some with clubs,

others with guns; the Seneschal, standing some distance away,

looked curiously into the eyes of the Count-and held a knife in

his sleeve.

They were already on the point of beginning battle, but the Judge

prevented them; it was vain to offer any defence, for a new enemy

was coming up. Among the alders they saw a flash, and heard the

report of a carbine! The bridge over the river rattled with the

trampling of cavalry, and a thousand voices thundered, "Down with

the Soplica!" The Judge shuddered, for he recognised Gerwazy's

watchword.

"This is nothing," cried the Count, "there will soon be more of

us here; submit, Judge, these are my allies."

Thereupon the Assessor ran up shouting:-