n a very noisy game of dominoes.

"No understand," said the man, shaking his head.

"Any letters--billy duxes?"

The man made a gesture to indicate that he did not understand.

"Thick-headed old idiot," muttered Chivey; then calling in pantomime to
aid his lack of French, he produced the first letter Jack had written
to the consul.

"Letter, like this."

The gaoler's eyes twinkled; he nodded and half drew from the
breast-pocket of his uniform the very document Chivey was so anxious to
get hold of.

"Hand it over, old pal," he said, holding out his hand.

The gaoler smiled as he again concealed the letter.

Then he in turn held out his hand, and made signs that he required
something to be dropped into it.

"Old cormorant wants more palm oil," muttered Chivey, and most
reluctantly he drew from his pocket one of the gold pieces Herbert
Murray had given him for the purpose of bribing the gaoler.

But the Frenchman shook his head.

"Two; I cannot part with the letter under two," he said, in much better
English than he had hitherto spoken.

"Well, I'm blest! Why couldn't you speak like that before? We'd have
come to business much sooner."

"I thought Monsieur would like to exhibit his extensive knowledge of
the French tongue, but here is the letter."

"And here's the coin. I will buy as many as you can get at the same
figure."

"You shall certainly have the first chance."

Chivey helped himself to another glass, and asked--

"When is the trial to be?"

"The judge, unfortunately, has been taken ill, and the prisoners will
have to wait about three weeks for an opportunity of proving their
innocence."

"That's unfortunate. What do you think they'll get?"

"If found guilty, twenty years at the galleys."

"What, old wooden legs and all?"

"The gentleman who has lost his limbs will be probably sent to some
other employment."

"What a pity. Well, good-bye, old cock; keep your weather-eye open."

"_Au revoir, monsieur._"

Cocking his hat very much on one side, Chivey stalked out of the place.

CHAPTER CI.

HOW THE PURLOINED LETTER WAS LOST--AND WHO FOUND IT.

"That 'ere frog-eating swine gets two quid for bonin' the letter, so I
think I'm entitled to one. Can't let all the coin go into old Frenchy's
pocket."

Thus Chivey muttered to himself as he neared the place where he and
Herbert Murray were staying.

Chivey evidently intended putting the screw on Herbert.

"Look here, guv'nor,"