onvicted of pillage and murder, and herself charged with complicity.

"Isolated as I was, without resources, and without relatives, I
would certainly have perished, but for the devoted efforts of my
friend the justice, whose official position gave him access
everywhere, and enabled him to reach my judges. He succeeded in
demonstrating my entire innocence; and after forty-eight hours'
detention, which seemed an age to me, I was set at liberty.

"At the door; I found the man who had just saved me. He was waiting
for me, but would not suffer me to express the gratitude with which
my heart overflowed.

"'You will thank me,' he said, 'when I have deserved it better. I
have done nothing as yet that any honest man wouldn't have done in
my place. What I wish is to discover what interests you are
threatening without knowing it, and which must be considerable, if
I may judge by the passion and the tenacity of those who are
pursuing you. What I desire to do is to lay hands upon the cowardly
rascals in whose way you seem to stand.'

"I shook my head.

"'You will not succeed,' I said to him.

"'Who knows? I've done harder things than that in my life.'

"And taking a large envelope from his pocket,

"'This,' he said, 'is the letter which caused your arrest. I have
examined it attentively; and I am certain that the handwriting is
not disguised. That's something to start with, and may enable me
to verify my suspicions, should any occur to my mind. In the mean
time, return quietly to Paris, resume your ordinary occupations,
answer vaguely any questions that may be asked about this matter,
and above all, never mention my name. Remain at the Hotel des
Folies: it is in my district, in my legitimate sphere of action;
besides, the proprietors are in a position where they dare not
disobey my orders. Never come to my office, unless something grave
and unforeseen should occur. Our chances of success would be
seriously compromised, if they could suspect the interest I take
in your welfare. Keep your eyes open on every thing that is going
on around you, and, if you notice any thing suspicious, write to me.
I will myself organize a secret surveillance around you. If I can
bag one of the rascals who are watching you, that's all I want.'

"'And now,' added this good man, 'good-by. Patience and courage.'

"Unfortunately he had not thought of offering me a little money: I
had not dared to ask him for any, and I had but eight