ome native product, let us say Pyrenean marble, for
instance, issue a prospectus, and the shares will be at once taken up by
Mascarin's clients."

"Well, what happens then?"

"Why, out of the funds thus obtained we will take care when the crash
comes to reimburse any outsiders who may have taken shares in the
concern, telling them that the thing has been a failure, and that we are
ruined; while Mascarin will take care to obtain from all his clients a
discharge in full, so the Company will quietly collapse."

"But," objected the Marquis, "all the shareholders will know that I am a
rogue."

"Naturally."

"They would hold me in utter contempt."

"Perhaps so, but they would never venture to let you see it. I never
thought that you would make objections; and whose character, however
deep, will bear investigation?"

"Are you sure that you hold your people securely?" asked he; "and that
none of them will turn surly?"

Mascarin was waiting for this question, and taking from his desk the
pieces of cardboard which he took so much pains to arrange, he replied,
"I have here the names of three hundred and fifty people who will each
invest ten thousand francs in the Company. Listen to me, and judge for
yourself."

He put all three pieces of cardboard together, and then drawing out one
he read,--

"'N---, civil engineer. Five letters written by him to the gentleman
who procured his appointment for him: worth fifteen thousand francs.'

"'P---, merchant. Absolute proof that his last bankruptcy was a
fraudulent one, and that he kept back from his creditors two hundred
thousand francs. Good for twenty thousand francs.'

"'Madame V---. A photograph taken in very light and airy costume. Poor,
but can pay three thousand francs.'

"'M. H---. Three letters from her mother, proving that the daughter
had compromised herself before marriage. Letter from a monthly nurse
appended. Can be made to pay ten thousand francs.'

"'X---, a portion of his correspondence with L--- in 1848. Three
thousand francs.'

"'Madame M. de M---. A true history of her adventure with M. J---.'"

This sample was quite sufficient to satisfy M. de Croisenois. "Enough,"
cried he, "I yield. I bow before your gigantic power, which utterly
surpasses that of the police. Give me your orders."

Before this Mascarin had conquered Hortebise and Paul Violaine, and now
he had the Marquis at his feet. Many times during this conversation the
Marquis had more than