then, you see, you won’t have it. I’m only a visitor here—like yourself, his Grace’s guest—but I believe the intention is that you and your friend, who really need not scowl so, are not to face a Judge this time. General Sadgrove has charge of what we may call the liberation department, and he will enlighten you.”
The man Benzon, lying propped on his elbow, with Azimoolah standing over him statuesquely menacing, shot a sly glance of triumph at his confederate, but it met with only a sickly smile for a response. Lestrade’s eyes turned with shrinking expectancy to the General, her insolent demeanor having vanished, strangely enough, at the hint that she would not be detained.
“Yes, there will be no prosecution,” the General said, sternly. “The Duke took the onus of defeating your aims upon him before he was called to his present high station, and his friends are unanimous that he ought not to pursue the matter now. You, Madame Lestrade, will be allowed to depart early to-morrow morning in the name you have chosen to assume; and you, sir, can go at once by the way you came—through the window.”
The man Benzon rose to his feet with alac-
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