hevalier.

"Because I do not know you, monsieur, and because those who walk at
night frequently have their coat prudently lined with a shirt of mail."

At these words the chevalier's cloak and coat were thrown aside; but, at
the moment when Gaston was about to rush on his adversary, the four men
appeared and seized him.

"A duel, monsieur," cried they, "in spite of the king's prohibition!"
and they dragged him toward the door.

"An assassination," murmured Gaston, not daring to cry out, for fear of
compromising Helene; "cowards!"

"We are betrayed, monsieur," said Dubois, rolling up Gaston's cloak and
coat, and putting them under his arm; "we shall meet again to-morrow,
no doubt."

And he ran toward the hotel, while they shut up Gaston in the lower
room.

Dubois ran up the staircase and into his room, where he opened the
precious pocket-book. He found in one pocket a broken coin and a man's
name. This coin was evidently a sign of recognition, and the name was
probably that of the man to whom Gaston was addressed, and who was
called Captain la Jonquiere. The paper was oddly folded.

"La Jonquiere," said Dubois; "we have our eyes on _him_ already."

He looked over the rest of the pocket-book--there was nothing.

"It is little," said Dubois, "but it is enough."

He folded a paper like the other, took the name, and rang the bell.

Some one knocked; the door was fastened inside. "I forgot," said Dubois,
opening it, and giving entrance to Monsieur Tapin.

"What have you done with him?"

"He is in the lower room, and watched."

"Take back his cloak and coat to the place where he threw them; make
your excuses, and set him free. Take care that everything is in his
pockets, so that he may suspect nothing. Bring me my coat and cloak."

Monsieur Tapin bowed low, and went to obey his orders.

CHAPTER IX.

THE VISIT.

All this passed, as we have said, in the lane under Helene's windows.
She had heard the noise; and, as among the voices she thought she
distinguished that of the chevalier, she ran anxiously to the window,
when, at the same moment, Madame Desroches appeared.

She came to beg Helene to go into the drawing-room, as the visitor had
arrived.

Helene started, and nearly fell; her voice failed her, and she followed,
silent and trembling.

The room into which Madame Desroches led her was without any light,
except what was thrown on the carpet by the last remains of a fire.
Madame Desroches