ped at the spot where the Rue Blanche intersects
the Rue de Douai, and told the coachman to wait for him, and entered
the house where the younger Gandelu had installed the fair Madame de
Chantemille. It was some time before his ring at the door was answered,
but at last the door was opened by a stout, red-faced girl, with an
untidy cap. Upon seeing Tantaine, she uttered an exclamation of delight,
for it was the cook that had been placed in Zora's employment by M.
Mascarin's agency.

"Ah, Daddy Tantaine," said she, "you are as welcome as the sun in
winter."

"Hush, hush," returned the old man, gazing cautiously round him.

"Don't be frightened," returned the girl. "Madame has gone to a place
from when there is no return ticket, at least, for some time. You know
the greater the value of an article the closer we keep it under lock and
key."

Tantaine gathered from this that Rose had been arrested, and his
astonishment appeared to be unmeasured.

"Surely you don't mean that she has gone to quod?" said he.

"It is as I tell you," answered she; "but come in, and have a glass of
wine, while you hear all about it."

She led the old man into the dining-room, round the table in which
a half dozen guests were seated, just concluding a late breakfast.
Tantaine at once recognized four of the several guests as servants whom
he knew from their having applied for situations at the office, and
there were two men of a very unprepossessing exterior.

"We are having a regular spree to-day," observed the cook, handing a
bottle to Tantaine; "but yesterday there was not much of a jollification
here, for just as I was setting about getting the dinner two fellows
came in and asked for my mistress, and as soon as they saw her they
clapped their hands on her and said that she must come to the stone jug.
When madame heard this she shrieked so loud as to have been heard in the
next street. She would not go a foot with them, clung to the furniture
and banisters, so they just took her up by the head and feet, and
carried her down to a cab that was standing at the door. I seem to bring
ill luck wherever I go, for this is the fourth mistress I have seen
taken off in this way; but come, you are taking nothing at all."

But Tantaine had had enough, and making an excuse, retired from a
debauch which he saw would continue as long as the wine held out.

"All is going well," muttered he, as he climbed into the cab; "and now
for the next one."