rd was, and all, to avoid further questioning. For I hated to
dwell upon the occurrences of that night, yet ever returned to them
with a sort of secret fascination.

"You choked him well, comrade," was Jerome's only comment, regarding
the affair, yet I fancied I saw him shiver somewhat at the ghastly
recollection of Broussard. The matter being thus dismissed, we never
spoke of it again.

Our fire burned warm, filling the room with a home-like glow, so with
good wine and clear consciences Jerome and I drank and talked and
stretched the lazy evening through.

"There is just one other thing we can do, Placide, to put the finishing
touch upon our success."

I turned an interrogative glance toward the speaker.

"That is to find out, if possible, who is back of this scheming. That
fellow Yvard, dare-devil though he is, has not brain enough to concoct
such a plan, even if he had courage and energy to fight it through.
Depend upon it, some powerful person is behind Yvard. Most likely
Madame du Maine. What say you to an adventure?"

My blood was in the humor for sport, the wine heated me somewhat, and
recking not of consequences I caught at his idea.

"Willingly, comrade, but what?"

"Let us to Sceaux, to Madame's court, and see what we may discover, for
two fools like ourselves might perchance stumble blindly upon what a
wise man would overlook," he continued with mock humility.

"Yes, and two fools like ourselves might perchance get themselves
hanged for what a wise man would keep his skirts clear of. There's a
peril in meddling with the affairs of the great."

"Seriously, now. I have means and ways of learning things in Madame's
family. My head has been fast set on this matter for some time. If
you agree to take the risk with me, you should know how we are to act.
Now mind you," he pursued, rising and stretching his back to the fire,
facing me, "mind you, I tell you all I want you to know, and you must
promise me to make no inquiries on your own account."

By this time I had grown accustomed to trust de Greville, so I simply
assented.

"A lady you know--it might get me into trouble," he further explained;
with that I made myself content.

Jerome averted his face as if he would first frame his speech carefully
before he gave it me. Here Serigny's final remark about making friends
of the ladies recurred to me, and I wondered what this fair unknown had
to do with such a rough game as we played. Before