Bastille than see it "limited."'

Polycarp rose in his turn.

'My clients,' he remarked in a peculiar tone, 'had set their minds on
this affair.'

'For once in a way your clients will be disappointed,' said Hugo.

'What do you mean--"for once in a way"?'

'Who are your clients, Mr. Polycarp?'

'Since the offer is rejected, it would be useless to divulge their
names.'

'I will tell you, then,' said Hugo. 'Your client--for there is only
one--is Louis Ravengar. I saw it stated in a paper the other day that
Louis Ravengar had successfully floated thirty-nine companies with a
total capitalization of thirty millions. But my scalp will not be added
to his collection.'

'I shall not disclose the identity of my clients,' Mr. Polycarp minced.
'But, speaking of Mr. Ravengar, I have noticed that what he wants he
gets. The manner in which the United Coal Company, Limited, was brought
to flotation by him in the teeth of the opposition of the proprietors
was really most interesting.'

'You mean to warn me that there are ways of compelling a private concern
to become public and joint-stock?'

'Not at all, Mr. Hugo. I am incapable of such a hint. I am sure that
nothing and nobody could force you against your will. I was only
mentioning the case of the Coal Company. I could mention others.'

'Don't trouble, my dear sir. Convey my decision to Louis Ravengar, and
give him my compliments. We are old acquaintances.'

'You are?' The solicitor seemed astonished in his imperturbable way.

'We are.'

'I will convey your decision to my clients.'

Accepting a cigar, Mr. Polycarp departed.

Without giving himself time to think, Hugo went straight to Department
42, and direct to the artist in hats. She stood pale and deferential to
receive him. The heat was worse than ever.

'Your name is Payne, I think?' he began. (He well knew her name was
Payne.)

'Yes, sir.'

Other employes in the trying-on room looked furtively round.

'About half-past eleven an old gentleman, with white moustache, came
into this room, Miss Payne. You remember?'

'Yes, sir.'

'What did he want?'

'He was inquiring about a hat, sir,' she hurriedly answered.

'For a lady?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Thank you.'

And he hastened back to his central office, and breathed a sigh. 'I have
actually spoken to her,' he murmured. 'How charming her voice is!'

But Miss Payne's physical condition desolated him. If she was so
obviously exhausted at 12.30, what woul