are a person of distinction, I have come myself--"

"Is your name Goulard?" demanded the stranger in a high voice.

"I am the sub-prefect, monsieur," replied Antonin Goulard.

"Your father belonged to the Simeuse family?"

"And I, monsieur, belong to the government; that is how times differ."

"You have a servant named Julien, who has tried to entice the Princesse
de Cadignan's maid away from her?"

"Monsieur, I do not allow any one to speak to me in this manner," said
Goulard; "you misunderstand my character."

"And you want to know about mine!" returned the Unknown. "Well, I
will now make myself known. You can write in the landlord's book:
'Impertinent fellow. Direct from Paris. Age doubtful. Travelling for
pleasure.' It would be rather a novelty in France to imitate England and
let people come and go as they please, without tormenting them at every
turn for 'papers.' I have no passport; now, what will you do to me?"

"The _procureur-du-roi_ is walking up and down there under the lindens,"
said the sub-prefect.

"Monsieur Marest! Wish him good-morning from me."

"But who are you?"

"Whatever you wish me to be, my dear Monsieur Goulard," said the
stranger. "You alone shall decide _what_ I am to be in this department.
Give me some advice on that head. Here, read that."

And the stranger handed the sub-prefect the following letter:--

(Confidential.) Prefecture of the Aube.

Monsieur the Sub-prefect,--You will consult with the bearer of
this letter as to the election at Arcis, and you will conform to
all the suggestions and requests he may make to you. I request you
to conduct this matter with the utmost discretion, and to treat
the bearer with all the respect that is due to his station.

The letter was written and signed by the prefect of the Aube.

"You have been talking prose without knowing it," said the Unknown,
taking back the letter.

Antonin Goulard, already struck with the aristocratic tone and manners
of this personage, became respectful.

"How was that, monsieur?" he asked.

"By endeavoring to entice Anicette. She told us of the attempts of your
man Julien to corrupt her. But my little tiger, Paradise, got the better
of him, and he ended by admitting that you wanted to put Anicette into
the service of one of the richest families in Arcis. Now, as the
richest family in Arcis is the Beauvisage family I make no doubt it is
Mademoiselle Cecile who covets this treasure."