who, at
last, had been convicted of perjury, but had somehow managed to escape
punishment.

After his dismissal from the police-force, Chelteux founded a bureau of
private information.

After several inquiries, Mme. Blanche discovered that he lived in the
Place Dauphine; and she determined to take advantage of her husband's
absence to pay the detective a visit.

One morning she donned her simplest dress, and, accompanied by Aunt
Medea, repaired to the house of Chelteux.

He was then, about thirty-four years of age, a man of medium height, of
inoffensive mien, and who affected an unvarying good-humor.

He invited his clients into a nicely furnished drawing-room, and Mme.
Blanche at once began telling him that she was married, and living in
the Rue Saint-Denis, that one of her sisters, who had lately died,
had been guilty of an indiscretion, and that she was ready to make any
sacrifice to find this sister's child, etc., etc. A long story, which
she had prepared in advance, and which sounded very plausible.

Chelteux did not believe a word of it, however; for, as soon as it was
ended, he tapped her familiarly on the shoulder, and said:

"In short, my dear, we have had our little escapades before our
marriage."

She shrank back as if from some venomous reptile.

To be treated thus! she--a Courtornieu--Duchesse de Sairmeuse!

"I think you are laboring under a wrong impression," she said,
haughtily.

He made haste to apologize; but while listening to further details given
him by the young lady, he thought:

"What an eye! what a voice!--they are not suited to a denizen of the
Saint-Denis!"

His suspicions were confirmed by the reward of twenty thousand francs,
which Mme. Blanche imprudently promised him in case of success, and by
the five hundred francs which she paid in advance.

"And where shall I have the honor of addressing my communications to
you, Madame?" he inquired.

"Nowhere," replied the young lady. "I shall be passing here from time to
time, and I will call."

When they left the house, Chelteux followed them.

"For once," he thought, "I believe that fortune smiles upon me."

To discover the name and rank of his new clients was but child's play to
Fouche's former pupil.

His task was all the easier since they had no suspicion whatever of his
designs. Mme. Blanche, who had heard his powers of discernment so highly
praised, was confident of success.

All the way back to the hotel she was con