ommence proceedings at once."

The doctor drank off a glass of wine. "To the speedy marriage of our
dear friend the Marquis and Mademoiselle Sabine," said he gayly.

"So be it," said Tantaine; "I am also directed to beg M. Paul not to
leave this house, but to send for his luggage and remain here."

Hortebise looked so much annoyed that Tantaine hastened to add: "Only as
a temporary measure, for I am on the lookout for rooms for him now."

Paul looked delighted at the idea of having a home of his own.

"Good!" exclaimed the doctor merrily. "And now, my dear Tantaine, as you
have executed all your commissions, you can stay and breakfast with us."

"Thanks for the honor; but I am very busy with affairs of the Duke de
Champdoce and must see Perpignan at once." As he spoke he rose, making
a little sign which Paul did not catch, and Hortebise accompanied him to
the door of the vestibule. "Don't leave that lad alone," said Tantaine;
"I will see about him to-morrow; meanwhile prepare him a little."

"I comprehend," answered Hortebise; "my kind regards to that dear
fellow, Perpignan."

This Perpignan was well known--some people said too well known--in
Paris. His real name was Isidore Crocheteau, and he had started life
as a cook in a Palais Royal restaurant. Unfortunately a breach of the
Eighth Commandment had caused him to suffer incarceration for a period
of three years, and on his release he bloomed out into a private inquiry
agent. His chief customers were jealous husbands, but as surely as one
of these placed an affair in his hands, he would go to the erring wife
and obtain a handsome price from her for his silence.

Mascarin and Perpignan had met in an affair of this kind; and as they
mutually feared each other, they had tacitly agreed not to cross
each other's path in that great wilderness of crime--Paris. But while
Perpignan knew nothing of Mascarin's schemes and operations, the
former was very well acquainted with the ex-cook's doings. He knew,
for instance, that the income from the Inquiry Office would not cover
Perpignan's expenses, who dressed extravagantly, kept a carriage,
affected artistic tastes, played cards, betted on races, and liked good
dinners at the most expensive restaurants. "Where can he get his money
from?" asked Mascarin of himself; and, after a long search, he succeeded
in solving the riddle.

Daddy Tantaine, after leaving the doctor's, soon arrived at the
residence of M. Perpignan, and ran