ions you saw in the count's escritoire, and which we
have been unable to find. How they obtained possession of the money I
can't conceive--but they have it, or else logic is no longer logic."
He paused again for a moment, and then he resumed, more slowly: "In
acquainting you with my opinion on this subject, I have given you, a
young girl, almost a child, a proof of esteem and confidence which,
it seems to me, few men are worthy of; for I may be deceived, and a
magistrate ought not to accuse a person unless he is absolutely certain
of his guilt. So you must forget what I have just told you, Mademoiselle
Marguerite."

She looked at him with an air of utter astonishment. "You advise me to
forget," she murmured, "you wish me to forget."

"Yes; you must conceal these suspicions in the deepest recesses of your
heart, until the time comes when you have sufficient proof to convict
the culprits. It is true that it will be a difficult task to collect
such proofs; but it is not impossible, with the aid of time, which
divulges so many crimes. And you may count upon me; I will give you the
benefit of all my influence and experience. It shall never be said that
I allowed a defenceless girl to be crushed while I saw any chance of
saving her."

Tears came to Mademoiselle Marguerite's eyes. So the world was not
composed entirely of scoundrels! "Ah! how kind you are, monsieur," she
said; "how kind you are!"

"To be sure!" he interrupted, in a benevolent tone. "But, my child,
you must help yourself. Remember this: if the Fondeges suspect our
suspicions, all is lost. Repeat this to yourself at every moment in the
day--and be discreet, impenetrable; for people with unclean consciences
and hands are always distrustful of others."

There was no necessity to say anything more on this point; and so, with
a sudden change of tone he asked: "Have you any plan?"

She felt that she could, and ought, to confide everything to this
worthy old man, and so rising to her feet, with a look of energy and
determination on her face, she replied in a firm voice: "My decision
is taken, monsieur, subject, of course, to your approval. In the first
place I shall keep Madame Leon with me, in whatever capacity she likes,
it doesn't matter what. Through her I shall no doubt be able to watch
the Marquis de Valorsay, and perhaps eventually discover his hopes and
his aim. In the second place, I shall accept the hospitality offered me
by the General and his wife.