ted to him on the Saturday preceding his death. Beside
this document lay a second memorandum, signed by a stockbroker named
Pell, setting forth that the latter had sold for the count securities of
various descriptions to the amount of fourteen hundred and twenty-three
thousand francs, which sum had been paid to the count on the preceding
Tuesday, partly in bank-notes and partly in gold. It was thus evident
that M. de Chalusse had received a grand total of two million two
hundred and seventy-three thousand francs within the past six days.

In the drawer which was next opened, the magistrate only found a number
of deeds, bonds, leases, and mortgages; but they proved that public
rumor, far from exaggerating the figures of the count's fortune,
had diminished it, and this made it difficult to explain why he had
contracted a loan. The third and last drawer contained twenty-eight
thousand francs, in packages of twenty-franc pieces. Finally, in a small
casket, the magistrate found a packet of letters, yellow with age and
bound together with a broad piece of blue velvet; as well as three or
four withered bouquets, and a woman's glove, which had been worn by a
hand of marvellous smallness. These were evidently the relics of some
great passion of many years before; and the magistrate looked at them
for a moment with a sigh.

His own interest prevented him from noticing Mademoiselle Marguerite's
agitation. She had almost fainted on perceiving these souvenirs of the
count's past life so suddenly exhumed. However, the examination of
the escritoire being over, and the clerk having completed his task of
recording the names of all the servants, the magistrate said, in a loud
voice, "I shall now proceed to affix the seals; but, before doing so, I
shall take a portion of the money found in this desk, and set it apart
for the expenses of the household, in accordance with the law. Who will
take charge of this money?"

"Oh, not I!" exclaimed Madame Leon.

"I will take charge of it," said M. Casimir.

"Then here are eight thousand francs, for which you will be held
accountable."

M. Casimir being a prudent man, counted the money himself, and after
doing so, "Who will attend to the count's obsequies?" he inquired.

"You, and without loss of time."

Proud of his new importance, the valet hastily left the room, his
self-complacency increased by the thought that he was to breakfast with
M. Isidore Fortunat, and would afterward share a fa