ration as he would show to me. He lives a
long way off, but my brougham is standing in the courtyard; so take it,
and when your consultation is over, come back and dine with me."

"Ah! you are too kind!" exclaimed M. Wilkie. "You overpower me, my dear
marquis, you do, upon my word! I shall fly and be back in a moment."

He went off looking radiant; and a moment later the carriage which was
to take him to M. Maumejan's was heard rolling out of the courtyard.

The doctor had already taken up his hat and cane.

"You will excuse me for leaving you so abruptly, Monsieur le Marquis,"
said he, "but I have an engagement to discuss a business matter."

"Indeed!"

"I am negotiating for the purchase of a dentist's establishment."

"What, you?"

"Yes, I. You may tell me that this is a downfall, but I will answer,
'It will give me a living.' Medicine is becoming a more and more
unremunerative profession. However hard a physician may work, he can
scarcely pay for the water he uses in washing his hands. I have an
opportunity of purchasing the business of a well-established and
well-known dentist, in an excellent neighborhood. Why not avail myself
of it? Only one thing worries me--the lack of funds."

The marquis had expected the doctor would require remuneration for his
services. Before compromising himself any further, M. Jodon wished to
knew what compensation he was to receive. The marquis was so sure of
this, that he quickly exclaimed: "Ah, my dear doctor, if you have need
of twenty thousand francs, I shall be only too happy to offer them to
you."

"Really?"

"Upon my honor!"

"And when can you let me have the money?"

"In three or four days' time."

The bargain was concluded. The doctor was now ready to find traces of
any poison whatsoever in the Count de Chalusse's exhumed remains. He
pressed the marquis's hand and then went off, exclaiming: "Whatever
happens you can count upon me."

Left alone with the Viscount de Coralth, and consequently freed from all
restraint, M. de Valorsay rose with a long-drawn sigh of relief. "What
an interminable seance!" he growled. And, approaching his acolyte, who
was sitting silent and motionless in an arm-chair, he slapped him on
the shoulder, exclaiming: "Are you ill that you sit there like that, as
still as a mummy?"

The viscount turned as if he had been suddenly aroused from slumber.
"I'm well enough," he answered somewhat roughly. "I was only thinking."

"Your thoughts a