Chauvenet and his friend had spoken from the first in French, but in
addressing some directions to the servant, the blond, who assumed the
role of host, employed a Servian dialect.
"I think we were saying that the mortality list in certain directions
will have to be stimulated a trifle before we can do our young friend
Francis any good. You have business in America, _carino_. That paper we
filched from old Stroebel strengthens our hold on Francis; but there is
still that question as to Karl and Frederick Augustus. Our dear Francis
is not satisfied. He wishes to be quite sure that his dear father and
brother are dead. We must reassure him, dearest Jules."
"Don't be a fool, Durand. You never seem to understand that the United
States of America is a trifle larger than a barnyard. And I don't believe
those fellows are over there. They're probably lying in wait here
somewhere, ready to take advantage of any opportunity,---that is, if they
are alive. A man can hardly fail to be impressed with the fact that so
few lives stand between him and--"
"The heights--the heights!" And the young man, whom Chauvenet called
Durand, lifted his tiny glass airily.
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