m
the public."

"What could he mean?"

"_That_ I can only surmise. But a few hours will make all clear."

"To gain a few hours' time may be of the utmost importance," answered
Madeleine. "Try to see Mr. Emerson _at once_. Learn the meaning of his
words, and return to me with the intelligence."

"Ah, Mademoiselle Madeleine, you are always so prompt! I should have
lingered until twelve without"--

"Go! Go at once, and come back to me quickly! You have said enough to
awaken a horrible suspicion. I do not dare to let my mind dwell upon the
frightful possibility that suggests itself."

M. de Bois bade her good-morning as precipitately as she could desire,
and hastened upon his mission.

When Madeleine reached her home she said to Ruth, "I am unfit for my
usual duties to-day. Ruth, I have long intended that you should occupy a
more active and prominent position in this establishment. Do you not
feel yourself competent to do so?"

Ruth returned affectionately,--

"I have studied diligently under your tuition; sometimes I fancy that I
have almost mastered some of the rules, and fathomed some of the
mysteries, of your art."

"To-day, then," rejoined Madeleine, "I mean that you shall wholly take
my place. I have faith in your ability."

Ruth retired, well pleased at the confidence reposed in her; and
Madeleine entered her boudoir to await, with a sense of dread which she
could ill repress, the return of Gaston de Bois.

The clock had just struck twelve when he was announced. One glance at
his pale face hardly left Madeleine courage to ask,--

"What has happened?"

"The worst, the very worst that I deemed possible, and I have been able
to accomplish nothing. I feel like a brute to bring you these ill
tidings a single hour before you are compelled to know them."

"Do not keep me in suspense!" urged Madeleine.

M. de Bois went on, "Maurice obtained a loan of ten thousand dollars
from Mr. Emerson. The security given was upon this Maryland property,
which Maurice declared to be free of all mortgage; and, no doubt, he
thought it was so."

"And, alas! it is not?"

"So far from clear that Mr. Emerson yesterday learned the estate was
mortgaged to its full value. Count Tristan, who held in his hands a
power of attorney, has doubtless made use of the instrument without his
son's knowledge."

"Did you not explain this to Mr. Emerson in defence of Maurice?"

"Assuredly; but Mr. Emerson received my assertion with ope