a
dozen of the other; but the worst of it is that he has just made his
will--yes, made his will--and he has disinherited me in favor
of that rascally Jesuit!

THE BARONESS

"Come with me," said my friend Boisrene, "you will see some very
interesting bric-a-brac and works of art there."

He conducted me to the first floor of an elegant house in one of the big
streets of Paris. We were welcomed by a very pleasing man, with excellent
manners, who led us from room to room, showing us rare things, the price
of which he mentioned carelessly. Large sums, ten, twenty, thirty, fifty
thousand francs, dropped from his lips with such grace and ease that one
could not doubt that this gentleman-merchant had millions shut up in his
safe.

I had known him by reputation for a long time Very bright, clever,
intelligent, he acted as intermediary in all sorts of transactions. He
kept in touch with all the richest art amateurs in Paris, and even of
Europe and America, knowing their tastes and preferences; he apprised
them by letter, or by wire if they lived in a distant city, as soon as he
knew of some work of art which might suit them.

Men of the best society had had recourse to him in times of difficulty,
either to find money for gambling, or to pay off a debt, or to sell a
picture, a family jewel, or a tapestry.

It was said that he never refused his services when he saw a chance of
gain.

Boisrene seemed very intimate with this strange merchant. They must have
worked together in many a deal. I observed the man with great interest.

He was tall, thin, bald, and very elegant. His soft, insinuating voice
had a peculiar, tempting charm which seemed to give the objects a special
value. When he held anything in his hands, he turned it round and round,
looking at it with such skill, refinement, and sympathy that the object
seemed immediately to be beautiful and transformed by his look and touch.
And its value increased in one's estimation, after the object had passed
from the showcase into his hands.

"And your Crucifix," said Boisrene, "that beautiful Renaissance Crucifix
which you showed me last year?"

The man smiled and answered:

"It has been sold, and in a very peculiar manner. There is a real
Parisian story for you! Would you like to hear it?"

"With pleasure."

"Do you know the Baroness Samoris?"

"Yes and no. I have seen her once, but I know what she is!"

"You know--everything?"

"Yes."

"Would you mind