ld said party prefer to remain under the rose?"

"Possibly the latter."

"Just so; that gives interest to the enterprise. But when party objects
to being traced, difficulties spring up; takes time to overcome them;
always a certain cost."

"If you mean that I shall offer you compensation for your trouble, I am
ready to make any in my power: name your price."

"Price? price? not to be named so hastily; depends upon time consumed,
amount of labor, obstacles party concerned may throw in the way. Other
parties will have to be employed to seek out party who presented himself
with the jewels; enumeration requisite to induce communicativeness; may
turn out party had the jewels from another party, who obtained them from
another; shall have to track each party's steps backward to party who
was the original possessor."

"Take your own course. I am unskilled in these affairs," answered
Maurice, frankly; "all I ask is that you learn for me _where_ the lady
whose family jewels passed through your hands now resides. Name the cost
of your undertaking."

The wily Jew fastened his keen, speculative eyes upon his anticipated
prey, as he replied, slowly, "Cost?--can't say to a certainty; thousand
francs do to begin."

He heard the faint sigh, of which Maurice was himself unconscious, and
drew a correct inference.

From the hour that the viscount had been made aware of the true state of
Count Tristan's finances, he had reduced all his own expenses, allowed
himself no luxuries, no indulgencies, nothing but the barest
necessities, that his father's narrow resources might not be drained
through a son's lavishness. The young nobleman had not at that moment a
hundred francs at his own command. He had no alternative but to apply to
Count Tristan for the sum required by the Jew.

"My means are very limited," returned Maurice, with a great waste of
candor. "I must beg you to deal with me as liberally as possible. The
amount you demand I hope to obtain and bring you in a few days. In the
meantime you will commence your inquiries."

"Assuredly,--just so; commence putting matters in train at once;
possibly may have some clew between thumb and finger when monsieur
returns with the money; nothing to be done without golden keys: unlock
all doors; carry one into hidden depths of the earth. Shall be obliged
to advance funds to pay parties employed. Have the goodness to write
your name in this book."

Maurice wrote down his name and address,