. "I know the interior of
the Baron's house. There is a lot of good stuff there--some jewellery,
too, and even enough table silver to make the job worth while. In his
safe he keeps a lot of papers. If we could only get them they would
fetch something in certain quarters--enough to make us both rich; but
the worst of it is that we left our jet in London, and we cannot get it
without." And he took a caporal from the packet before him and slowly
lit it. Then he resumed, saying: "Now, I propose that we leave the safe
out of the question, and go for the plate in the _salle-a-manger_. We
have no tools for a really artistic job, so we must be content this time
with the Baron's embroideries. His papers may come later--at least,
that's my project. I've been out at Neuilly all day, and have had a good
look around, and decided on the way we shall get in. It is perfectly
easy--all save the watchdog. But a bit of doctored meat will do the
trick. I got a little dose for him from old Pere Lebrun on my way home,"
and from his pocket he produced a small bottle.

"Is the Baron at home?" asked his accomplice, to whom, of course, Ansell
had never spoken about the failure of his plot for blackmail.

"Of course," was the reply. "But what does that matter? He'll be sound
asleep, and to-morrow we shall be a couple of thousand francs the
richer. It is childishly easy, my dear friend, I assure you."

"And if we meet the Baron, who, if all I hear be true, is an extremely
shrewd person, what shall we do?"

"Well, if we meet anybody, we must act as we have always acted."

"Shoot, eh?"

Ansell nodded and grinned.

"We had bad luck in London, remember," said "The Eel."

"Yes; but it is easy out at Neuilly," the other declared. "I've been in
the _salle-a-manger_, remember. Every bit of plate in use is solid
silver. Much of it is kept in drawers in the room. Besides, there were a
lot of knick-knacks about in the large _salon_. Levy will buy them in a
moment. We are on a soft thing, I can assure you. I was an ass not to
have thought of it long ago. Once the dog is silenced the rest is quite
easy."

Carlier, who had only two francs in his pocket, reflected deeply. He was
silent for fully three minutes, while his companion watched his face
narrowly.

"When do you propose starting?"

"Say at eleven. We'll get your things from your place, and I'll take my
flash-lamp, keys, and a few other necessaries."

"No, you'll not, Ralph!" cried Jean, as