rs.
He spoke very bad English throughout the consultation. "But the stars,
too, may be very persuasive with King Charles. To be plain, he will
probably consult you, and if--"

"I am to see him to-night. That is why your visit was postponed until
to-morrow," interrupted Lilly.

"That is as I supposed," remarked the Abbe. "Now, if I buy Dunkirk for
one hundred thousand pounds, you shall receive two thousand pounds within
ten days after signing the treaty, and Baron Clyde will be my surety."

"Two thousand pounds?" mused Lilly. "That is rather a small sum in so
great a transaction."

"I doubt not the purchase may be made without the help of the stars if
you feel that two thousand pounds is too small a sum to be considered,"
returned the Abbe.

"No, no," said Lilly. "I understand that you wish me to set a figure and
work out the solution of this affair, and if I learn from the stars that
it is to King Charles's interest to accept your offer of one hundred
thousand pounds for the city of Dunkirk, I am to receive--"

"If King Charles accepts!" interrupted the Abbe.

"Ah, I see! Yes, yes, of course," returned Lilly. "I shall go to work
immediately and set my figure. Of course I do not know what I shall
learn, but I shall be glad to learn from the stars that which will enable
me to advise the king according to your wishes. Two thousand pounds are
two thousand pounds, and the word of a king is but a breath."

"What will the king give you for setting the figure and working it out?
What does he usually pay you in important affairs?" asked the Abbe.

"Ah--eh--I--I--In truth," returned Lilly, stammering, "the king, who is
so liberal with his lady friends, is--what shall I say?--close with me,
save in promises. He buys folly at the rate of hundreds of thousands of
pounds a year, while he pays for knowledge with large promises, and now
ten shillings and again five. On one occasion I assured him that he would
not fail if he attempted to put through a much-cherished plan of carrying
a lady to the country against her will. He was much pleased and gave me a
guinea, but borrowed it a week afterward, and--and still owes it."

George turned quickly to me, but, remembering that he was the Abbe du
Boise, said nothing. But I caught his meaning and, turning to Lilly,
asked:--

"Do you refer to the occasion of a certain kidnapping in which Hamilton
and I consulted you?"

"Yes," returned Lilly.

"And you allowed it to be carried ou