ou. I came here
to-day expecting to find you still undecided, and I am pleased with the
change."

"But, sir--" said Paul.

"On the contrary, you are firm and strong."

"Yes, he has got on so well," said the doctor, "that we should now treat
him as one of ourselves, and confide more in him. To-night, my young
friend, M. Mascarin will get from Caroline Schimmel the solution of the
riddle that has for so long perplexed us. Be at the office to-morrow at
ten o'clock, and you shall be told everything."

Paul would have asked more questions, but Tantaine cut him short with a
brief good-morning, and went off hurriedly, taking the doctor with him,
and seemingly wishing to avoid a hazardous and unpleasant explanation.

"Let us get out of this," whispered he. "In another moment I should
have knocked the conceited ass down. Oh, my Flavia! my poor Flavia! your
weakness of to-day will yet cost you very dear!"

Paul remained rooted to the ground, with an expression of surprise and
confusion upon every line of his face. All his pride and vanity had
gone. "I wonder," muttered he, "what these disagreeable persons are
saying about me? Perhaps laughing at my inexperience and ridiculing my
aspirations." The idea made him grind his teeth with rage; but he was
mistaken, for neither Tantaine nor the doctor mentioned his name after
they had left his apartment. As they walked up the Rue Montmartre,
all their ideas were turning upon how it would be easiest to checkmate
Andre.

"I have not yet got sufficient information to act on," remarked Tantaine
meditatively. "My present plan is to remain perfectly quiescent, and I
have told Croisenois not to make a move of any kind. I have an eye
and ear watching and listening when they think themselves in perfect
privacy. Very soon I shall fathom their plans, and then--, but in the
meantime have faith in me, and do not let the matter worry you."

On the boulevard Tantaine took leave of his friend.

"I shall very likely not see you to-night, for I have an appointment at
the Grand Turk with that precious young rascal, Toto Chupin. I _must_
find Caroline, for I am sure that with her lies the Champdoce secret.
She is very cunning, but has a weakness for drink, and, with Satan's
help, I hope to find out the special liquor which will make her open her
lips freely."

CHAPTER XXVI.

AT THE GRAND TURK.

Tantaine took a cab, and, promising the cabman a handsome gratuity if he
would drive fast, stop