crusted
thick with colored stones the like of which I could not have imagined in
my dreams. Their names, the marquis told me, were sapphires, emeralds,
rubies; and large clear diamonds, like beads of rain. When everything
was carefully returned to place, he asked:

"Shall I still act as your banker?"

I begged him to hide the jewel box again, and he concealed it in the
wall.

"We go to the Rue Ste. Croix, Lazarre, which is an impossible place for
your friend Bellenger at this time. Do you dance a gavotte?"

I told him I could dance the Indian corn dance, and he advised me to
reserve this accomplishment.

"Bonaparte's police are keen on any scent, especially the scent of a
prince. His practical mind would reject the Temple story, if he ever
heard it; and there are enough live Bourbons for him to watch."

"But there is the Count de Chaumont," I suggested.

"He is not a man that would put faith in the Temple story, either, and I
understand he is kindly disposed towards you."

"I lived in his house nearly a year."

"He is not a bad fellow for the new sort. I feel certain of him. He is
coaxing my friendship because of ancient amity between the houses of Du
Plessy and De Ferrier."

"Did you say, monsieur, that Bonaparte intends to restore Madame de
Ferrier's lands?"

"They have been given to one of his rising officers."

"Then he will not restore them?"

"Oh, yes, with interest! His plan is to give her the officer for a
husband."

VII

Even in those days of falling upon adventure and taking hold of life
with the arrogance of young manhood, I knew the value of money, though
it has always been my fault to give it little consideration. Experience
taught me that poverty goes afoot and sleeps with strange bed-fellows.
But I never minded going afoot or sharing the straw with cattle.
However, my secretary more than once took a high hand with me because he
bore the bag; and I did mind debt chasing my heels like a rising tide.

Our Iroquois had their cottages in St. Regis and their hunting cabins on
Lake George. They went to church when not drunk and quarrelsome, paid
the priest his dues, labored easily, and cared nothing for hoarding. But
every step of my new life called for coin.

As I look back on that hour the dominating thought rises clearly.

To see men admitting that you are what you believe yourself to be, is
one of the triumphs of existence. The jewel-case stamped identification
upon me. I felt