e de Mussidan knows all about the fate of the Marquis, and this
is clearly proved by letters that she has received from him, as well as
from the Duke de Champdoce.'"

This time the arrow went home. She grew deadly pale, and started to her
feet with her eyes dilated with horror.

"My letters!" exclaimed she hoarsely.

Hortebise appeared utterly overwhelmed by this display of consternation,
of which he was the innocent cause.

"Your letters, madame," replied he with evident hesitation, "this
double-dyed scoundrel declares he has in his possession."

With a cry like that of a wounded lioness, the Countess, taking no
notice of the doctor's presence, rushed from the room. Her rapid
footfall could be heard on the stairs, and the rustle of her silken
skirts against the banisters. As soon as he was left alone, the doctor
rose from his seat with a cynical smile upon his face.

"You may search," mused he, "but you will find that the birds have
flown." He walked up to one of the windows, and drummed on the glass
with his fingers. "People say," remarked he, "that Mascarin never
makes a mistake. One cannot help admiring his diabolical sagacity and
unfailing logic. From the most trivial event he forges a long chain of
evidence, as the botanist is able, as he picks up a withered leaf, to
describe in detail the tree it came from. A pity, almost, that he did
not turn his talents to some nobler end; but no; he is now upstairs
putting the Count on the rack, while I am inflicting tortures on the
Countess. What a shameful business we are carrying on! There are moments
when I think that I have paid dearly for my life of luxury, for I know
well," he added, half consciously fingering his locket, "that some day
we shall meet some one stronger than ourselves, and then the inevitable
will ensue."

The reappearance of the Countess broke the chain of his thoughts. Her
hair was disturbed, her eyes had a wild look in them, and everything
about her betrayed the state of agitation she was in.

"Robbed! robbed!" cried she, as she entered the room. Her excitement was
so extreme that she spoke aloud, forgetting that the door was open,
and that the lackey in the ante-room could hear all she said. Luckily
Hortebise did not lose his presence of mind, and, with the ease of a
leading actor repairing the error of a subordinate, he closed the door.

"What have you lost?" asked he.

"My letters; they are all gone."

She staggered on to a couch, and i