nd as soon as they were again in the street Andre
took his companion's arm, and hurried him off in the direction of the
Rue de Grammont.

"I don't want to give this thief, Verminet, time to warn Van Klopen of
what has taken place; I had rather fall upon him with the suddenness of
an earthquake. Come, let us go to his establishment at once."

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE VANISHING BILLS.

Had Andre known a little more of the man he had to deal with, he would
have learned that no one could fall like an earthquake upon Van Klopen.
Shut up in the sanctum where he composed the numberless costumes
that were the wonder and delight of Paris, Van Klopen made as careful
arrangements to secure himself from the interview as the Turk does to
guard the approaches to his seraglio; and so Andre and Gandelu were
accosted in the entrance hall by his stately footmen, clad in gorgeous
liveries, glittering with gold.

"M. van Klopen is of the utmost importance," asserted Andre.

"Our master is composing."

Entreaties, threats, and even a bribe of one hundred francs were alike
useless; and Andre, seeing that he was about to be checkmated, was half
tempted to take the men by the collar and hurl them on one side, but he
calmed himself, and, already repenting of his violence at Verminet's, he
determined on a course of submission, and so meekly followed the footmen
into the famous waiting-room, styled by Van Klopen his purgatory.
The footmen, however, had spoken the truth, for several ladies of the
highest rank and standing were awaiting the return of this _arbiter
elegantiarum_. All of them turned as the young men entered--all save
one, who was gazing out of the window, drawing with her pretty fingers
on the window panes. Andre recognized her in an instant as Madame de
Bois Arden.

"Is it possible?" thought he. "Can the Countess have returned here after
what has occurred?"

Gaston felt that five charming pairs of eyes were fixed upon him, and
studied to assume his most graceful posture.

After a brief time given to arrangement, Andre grew disgusted.

"I wish that she would look round," said he to himself. "I think she
would feel rather ashamed. I will say a word to her."

He rose from his chair, and, without thinking how terribly he might
compromise the lady, he took up a position at her side. She was,
however, intently watching something that was going on in the street,
and did not turn her head.

"Madame," said he.

She started,