poor Fanferlot humbly.
"Well, after he had done blustering about the letters, M. le marquis
dressed, and went out. He did not want his carriage, but I saw him hire
a cab at the hotel door. I thought he had perhaps disappeared forever;
but I was mistaken. About five o'clock he returned as gay as a
bull-finch. During his absence, I had telegraphed to you."

"What! did you not follow him?"

"I stayed on the spot in case of his return; but one of our friends kept
watch on him, and this friend gave me a report of my dandy's movements.
First he went to a broker's, then to the bank and discount office: so he
must be collecting his money to take a little trip."

"Is that all he did?"

"That is all, patron. But I must tell you how the rascals tried to shut
up, 'administratively,' you understand, Mlle. Palmyre. Fortunately you
had anticipated something of the kind, and given orders to watch over
her safety. But for you, she would now be in prison."

Joseph looked up to the ceiling by way of trying to remember something
more. Finding nothing there, he said:

"That is all. I rather think M. Patrigent will rub his hands with
delight when I carry him my report. He did not expect to see me any
more, and has no idea of the facts I have collected to swell the size of
his FILE 113."

There was a long silence. Joseph was right in supposing that the crisis
had come. M. Verduret was arranging his plan of battle while waiting
for the report of Nina--now Palmyre, upon which depended his point of
attack.

But Joseph Dubois began to grow restless and uneasy.

"What must I do now, patron?" he asked.

"Return to the hotel; probably your master had noticed your absence; but
he will say nothing about it, so continue--"

Here M. Verduret was interrupted by an exclamation from Prosper, who was
standing near a window.

"What is the matter?" he inquired.

"There is Clameran!" cried Prosper, "over there."

M. Verduret and Joseph ran to the window.

"Where is he?" said Joseph, "I don't see him."

"There, at the corner of the bridge, behind that orange-woman's stall."

Prosper was right. It was the noble Marquis of Clameran, who, hid behind
the stall, was watching for his servant to come out of the Archangel.

At first the quick-sighted Verduret had some doubts whether it was the
marquis, who, being skilled in these hazardous expeditions, managed to
conceal himself behind a pillar so as to elude detection.

But a moment came, when,