Frank noticed this agitation, and he observed that the duke again looked round in a hunted manner. No one seemed paying any attention to them. The duke’s hand fell from his heart to the table, and he leaned toward Merry. There was a peculiar gleam in his eyes.
“I have made enemies by the stand I have taken,” he said. “It has proved fatal for more than one man who espoused the cause of Dreyfus.”
“It has proved fatal?” questioned the young American. “What do you mean?”
“What I have said. More than one has given up his life because he dared proclaim the innocence of Dreyfus and work to establish it.”
“I have not heard of such cases.”
“Of course not. Why should you? The Black Brothers do their work in silence.”
“Who are the Black Brothers?”
“A band of men sworn to keep Dreyfus on Devil’s Island at any cost.”
“Do you mean to tell me there is such an organization of men in France?” gasped Frank, in horror.
“There is.”