d have furnished him
with a valid excuse for postponing his daughter's marriage for another
month. You must remain here; you could not be in a place of greater
security; but even here you cannot be too cautious. Eat nothing that is
no given you by some one who utters the word 'Lecoq.' M. Gandelu will
certainly call to see you. If you want to see or write to me, the
patient on your right will manage that; he is one of my men. You shall
have news every day; but be patient and prudent."

"I can wait now," answered the young man, "because I have hope."

"Ah," murmured Lecoq, as he moved softly away, "is not hope the true
secret of life and happiness?"

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE DAY OF RECKONING.

M. Lecoq enjoined prudence and caution on Andre, and the utmost care
on the part of his agents, because he was fully aware of the skill and
cunning of the adversary with whom he had to cope.

"You should not talk or make a noise," he would say, "when you are
fighting."

He could now prove that the head of this association, the man who
concealed his identity under a threefold personality, was the instigator
of a murder. But he did not intend to make use of this discovery at
once, for he had sworn that he would take the whole gang, and his
proceedings had been so carefully conducted that his victims did not for
a moment suspect the net that was closing around them. The day after the
accident to Andre, Mascarin sent an anonymous communication to the head
of the police, giving up Toto as the author of the crime, and saying
where he could be found.

"Of course," thought this wily plotter, "Toto will denounce Tantaine,
but that worthy man is dead and buried, and I think that even
the sharpest agents of the police will be unable to effect his
resurrection."

Mascarin had carefully consumed in a large fire every particle of the
tattered garments that Tantaine had been in the habit of wearing, and
laughed merrily as he watched the columns of sombre smoke roll upwards.

"Look for him as much as you please," laughed he. "Old Daddy Tantaine
has flown up the chimney."

The next business was to suppress Mascarin; this was a more difficult
operation. Few would care to inquire about Tantaine, but Mascarin was
well known as the head of a prosperous business; his disappearance would
create a sensation, and the police would take up the matter. His best
course would be to conduct matters openly, and sell his business on
the plea of family