e a dozen for all I care. But I am keeping you from your
friends."

"While I am keeping you from your supper. But just one question; it
cannot hurt you to answer. Will the scheme go on?"

"The scheme? What scheme?" I asked, in amazement

"You are a good actor," said he a trifle crossly. "Perhaps you will
tell me if Maubranne has returned to town."

"Maubranne is at Vancey," I answered in still greater astonishment.

"Then you will have to do the work yourself, which will please us
better. Maubranne would have spoiled everything at the last minute.
But there, I will leave you till to-morrow--unless you will be out."

"Out?" I exclaimed. "Yes, I shall be out all day and every day."

"Till the mine is laid! Well, I must tear myself away. Don't be too
risky, for without you the whole thing will tumble about our ears like
a house of cards."

I felt very thankful to be relieved of my unknown friend's company, for
my head was in a whirl, and I wished to be alone for an hour. Pushing
open the outer door and entering a narrow, ill-lit passage, I almost
fell into the arms of a short, stout, red-faced man, who leered at me
most horribly.

"Are you the landlord?" I asked.

"Yes," he answered, making a profound bow.

"Then show me a room where I can eat and sleep, for I am tired out and
hungry as a famished hawk."

"I grieve, monsieur; I am truly sorry," he replied, bowing in most
marvellous fashion for one so stout, "but, unhappily, my poor house is
full. In order to make room for my guests I myself have to sleep in
the stable. But monsieur will find excellent accommodation higher up
the street."

"Still, I intend staying here. The fact is, I have come on purpose to
see an old friend, a gentleman in the train of the Duke of Orleans."

"Will monsieur give his name?"

"M. Raoul Beauchamp," I replied; "he comes here frequently."

At this the innkeeper became quite civil, and I heard no more of the
advice to bestow my custom elsewhere.

"Well, mine host," I said slyly, "do you think it possible to find me a
room now in this crowded house?"

The fellow bowed again, saying I was pleased to be merry, but that
really in such stirring times one had to be careful, and that the good
Francois, who had known everybody, was dead--killed, it was hinted, by
a spy of Mazarin. But now that I had proved my right, as it were, the
house was mine, and he, the speaker, the humblest of my servants.

"Then show me a ro