“LOUIS DE FRANCHI.”

When I had finished the letter I turned to the writer and said—

“Well, and what does this mean?”

“Do you not understand?” he said.

“No!”

“I am going to be shot at ten minutes past nine.”

“You are going to be shot?”

“Yes.”

“You are mad! Why, what has put such an idea into your head?”

“I am not mad, my dear friend. I have been warned—that’s all.”