irm old savant; and
it was on account of the discrepancy which strikes your mind that she
wanted to put her money in my hands as a sort of trustee."

"Bless me! my friend," said Thuillier, flippantly, "you said we were in
want of a romance-feuilletonist; but really, after this, I sha'n't be
uneasy. Here's imagination for you!"

"What?" said la Peyrade, angrily, "you don't believe me?"

"No, I do not believe you. Twenty-five thousand francs savings in the
service of an old savant! that is about as believable as the officer of
La Dame Blanche buying a chateau with his pay."

"But if I prove to you the truth of my words; if I let you put your
finger upon it?"

"In that case, like Saint Thomas, I shall lower my flag before the
evidence. Meanwhile you must permit me, my noble friend, to wait until
you offer me that proof."

Thuillier felt really superb.

"I'd give a hundred francs," he said to himself, "if Brigitte could have
been here and heard me impeach him."

"Well," said la Peyrade, "suppose that without leaving this office, and
by means of a note which you shall read, I bring into your presence the
person from whom I received the money; if she confirms what I say will
you believe me?"

This proposal and the assurance with which it was made rather staggered
Thuillier.

"I shall know what to do when the time comes," he replied, changing his
tone. "But this must be done at once, now, here."

"I said, without leaving this office. I should think that was clear
enough."

"And who will carry the note you write?" asked Thuillier, believing
that by thus examining every detail he was giving proofs of amazing
perspicacity.

"Carry the note! why, your own porter of course," replied la Peyrade;
"you can send him yourself."

"Then write it," said Thuillier, determined to push him to the wall.

La Peyrade took a sheet of paper with the new heading and wrote as
follows, reading the note aloud:--

Madame Lambert is requested to call at once, on urgent business,
at the office of the "Echo de la Bievre," rue Saint-Dominique
d'Enfer. The bearer of this note will conduct her. She is awaited
impatiently by her devoted servant,

Theodose de la Peyrade.

"There, will that suit you?" said the barrister, passing the paper to
Thuillier.

"Perfectly," replied Thuillier, taking the precaution to fold the letter
himself and seal it. "Put the address," he added.

Then he rang the bell for the porter.

"You w