that?" asked Gaston, calmly.

"Never mind how, since I know it."

"Then I will answer you as Agamemnon did Achilles. Why ask, since you
know it?"

"Monsieur, I am not jesting," said D'Argenson.

"Nor I," said Gaston; "I only quote Racine."

"Take care, monsieur, you may find this system of defense do you no
good."

"Do you think it would be better to confess what you ask me?"

"It is useless to deny a fact which I am aware of."

"Then permit me to repeat my question: what is the use of asking me
about a project of which apparently you are so much better informed than
I am?"

"I want the details."

"Ask your police, which reads even people's most secret thoughts."

"Hum, hum," said D'Argenson, in a tone which, in spite of Gaston's
courage, made some impression on him, "what would you say if I asked
news of your friend La Jonquiere?"

"I should say," replied Gaston, turning pale, "that I hope the same
mistake has not been made about him as about me."

"Ah!" said D'Argenson, "that name touches you, I think--you know M. la
Jonquiere?"

"I know him as a friend, recommended to me to show me Paris."

"Yes--Paris and its environs; the Palais Royal, the Rue du Bac, or La
Muette: he was to show you all these, was he not?"

"They know all," thought Gaston.

"Well, monsieur," said D'Argenson, "can you find another verse from
Racine which will serve as an answer to my question?"

"Perhaps I might, if I knew what you meant; certainly I wished to see
the Palais Royal, for it is a curious place, and I have heard it much
spoken of. As to the Rue du Bac, I know little of it; then there only
remains La Muette, of which I know nothing."

"I do not say that you have been there; I say that La Jonquiere was to
take you there--do you dare to deny it."

"Ma foi, monsieur, I neither deny nor avow; I refer you to him; he will
answer you if he think fit."

"It is useless, monsieur; he has been asked, and has replied."

Gaston felt a shudder pass through him. He might be betrayed, but he
would divulge nothing. He kept silence.

D'Argenson waited a moment, then, seeing that Gaston remained silent--

"Would you like to meet La Jonquiere?" asked he.

"You can do with me as you please, monsieur," said Gaston; "I am in your
hands."

But at the same time he resolved, if he were to face La Jonquiere, he
would crush him beneath his contempt.

"It is well. As you say, I am the master, and I choose just now to apply
the o