nce, and a sweet voice replied, "Fanfar."

The two shadows were two women--Francoise and Caillette.

The young man seized a lamp and went to meet them.

"But Fanfar! where is Fanfar?" asked Caillette.

Presently other steps were heard.

"Whom do you seek?" asked the young man, once more.

"Fanfar!" answered a trembling voice.

And under the yellow rays of the lamp two more women were seen--Irene de
Salves and Francine. When the latter beheld Arthur de Montferrand she
started, while Irene impulsively pronounced his name.

They all entered the cottage, and looked around the room anxiously. The
same name was on every lip. Fanfar, where was he?

The night after Fanfar had been carried to the hotel Fongereues, a
mysterious note had been sent to Irene, to Francine, and Caillette.

"_To all who love Fanfar:_

"Repair at once to Havre. Go to the cottage of the fisherman Pierre.
Wait! Hope!"

Similar instructions had been sent to Arthur, but to the questions
addressed to him by these four ladies, he could only say that he knew no
more than they.

"We must wait," he said.

"But Gudel?" asked Caillette. "Where is he?"

"I know not," Arthur replied, "and yet I am almost sure that these notes
are from him."

Caillette went to Irene's side. The poor girl loved Fanfar with all her
heart, and she believed that he was lost to her, for if by a miracle she
were to see him again it would be as Irene's lover. But she accepted the
sacrifice. She said in a low voice to Irene:

"I am glad you came, for you love him."

Irene pressed her hand; she could not speak.

Suddenly Irene started, her instinct had told her the truth.

"And you," she exclaimed, "you also love him."

The two girls embraced each other tenderly. All this time Francoise sat
perfectly silent, she was content now that Cinette was near her, but
still she thought of Jacques with longing.

Where was old Labarre?

Arthur leaned against the window looking out into the night, and
listening to the voice of the waters. He had long since discovered that
he loved Francine, and he said to himself:

"If I restore her brother to her, she may learn to love me."

And now he waited anxiously for a signal, which would give him the right
to speak a word of hope to this little group of friends. He uttered a
little exclamation.

"Come here!" he cried, gayly, "come here, and look out!"

From among the dark waters rose a brilliant rocket which, darting
th