forbidding countenance,
Samuel approached, and said to him: "Who are you, sir?"

After casting a piercing glance at Rodin, who started but soon recovered
his habitual coolness, Faringhea replied to Samuel: "Prince Djalma
arrived lately from India, in order to be present here this day, as it
was recommended to him by an inscription on a medal, which he wore about
his neck."

"He, also!" cried Gabriel, who had been the shipmate of the Indian
Prince from the Azores, where the vessel in which he came from
Alexandria had been driven into port: "he also one of the heirs! In
fact, the prince told me during the voyage that his mother was of French
origin. But, doubtless, he thought it right to conceal from me the
object of his journey. Oh! that Indian is a noble and courageous young
man. Where is he?"

The Strangler again looked at Rodin, and said, laying strong emphasis
upon his words: "I left the prince yesterday evening. He informed me
that, although he had a great interest to be here, he might possibly
sacrifice that interest to other motives. I passed the night in the same
hotel, and this morning, when I went to call on him, they told me he was
already gone out. My friendship for him led me to come hither, hoping
the information I should be able to give might be of use to the prince."

In making no mention of the snare into which he had fallen the day
before, in concealing Rodin's machinations with regard to Djalma, and
in attributing the absence of this latter to a voluntary cause, the
Strangler evidently wished to serve the socius, trusting that Rodin
would know how to recompense his discretion. It is useless to observe,
that all this story was impudently false. Having succeeded that morning
in escaping from his prison by a prodigious effort of cunning, audacity,
and skill, he had run to the hotel where he had left Djalma; there
he had learned that a man and woman, of an advanced age, and most
respectable appearance, calling themselves relations of the young
Indian, had asked to see him--and that, alarmed at the dangerous state
of somnolency in which he seemed to be plunged, they had taken him home
in their carriage, in order to pay him the necessary attention.

"It is unfortunate," said the notary, "that this heir also did not
make his appearance--but he has, unhappily, forfeited his right to the
immense inheritance that is in question."

"Oh! an immense inheritance is in question," said Faringhea, looking
fixedl