nt of difficulty added to a case whose complications were
already more than enough.

My own position at this period was embarrassing in the extreme. Hanchett
frequently invited me to his house, and presented me freely to his
friends; while Ysaffich continued to suggest doubts of his good faith
on every occasion, and by a hundred petty slights showed his implacable
enmity towards him. Day after day this breach grew wider and wider,
every effort of the one being sure to excite the animosity and
opposition of the other. Ysaffich, too, far from endeavoring to repress
this spirit on his part, seemed to foster and encourage it, sneering at
the old lawyer's caution and reserve, and even insinuating against him
darker and more treacherous intentions.

"To what end," said he, at length, one morning when our discussion had
become unusually warm and animated, "to what end the inquiries to which
this learned adviser of yours would push us: he wants to discover the
Countess of Ga-briac and Raper. Why, bethink you, my worthy friend, that
these are the very people we hope never to hear more of; that if by any
mischance they could possibly be forthcoming, our whole scheme is blown
up at once. We have now enough, or we shall have enough by the end of
the month, to go to a jury. There is not a document nor a paper that
will not, in some form or other, be supplied. Let us stand or fall by
that issue; but, of all things, let us not protract the campaign till
the arrival of the forces that shall overwhelm us. If this be your
policy, Master Gervois, speak it out freely, and let us be frank with
each other."

There was a tone of bold defiance in this speech that startled me; but
the way in which he addressed me, as Gervois, a name he had never called
me by for several months, in even our closest intimacy, was like a
declaration of open hostility.

"I claim to be called Jasper Carew," said I, calmly and slowly; "I will
accept no other designation from you nor any one."

"You have learned your part admirably," said he, with a sneer; "but
remember that I am myself the prompter; so pray reserve the triumphs of
your art for the public!"

"Anatole," said I, addressing him with an emotion I could not repress,
"I desire to be frank and candid with you. This name of Jasper Carew I
believe firmly to be mine."

A burst of laughter, insulting to the last degree, stopped me in my
speech.

"Why, Gervois, this is madness, my worthy fellow. Just be