M. de Thaller
will not be disturbed."

"Oh!"

"Why? Because, my dear, in all those big financial operations,
justice, as much as possible, remains blind. Not through corruption
or any guilty connivance, but through considerations of public
interest. If the manager was prosecuted he would be condemned to a
few years' imprisonment; but his stockholders would at the same time
be condemned to lose what they have left; so that the victims would
be more severely punished than the swindler. And so, powerless,
justice does not interfere. And that's what accounts for the
impudence and impunity of all these high-flown rascals who go about
with their heads high, their pockets filled with other people's money,
and half a dozen decorations at their button-hole."

"And what then?" asked Maxence.

"Then it is evident that your father is lost. Whether or not he
did have accomplices, he will be alone sacrificed. A scapegoat is
needed to be slaughtered on the altar of credit. Well, they will
give that much satisfaction to the swindled stockholders. The
twelve millions will be lost; but the shares of the Mutual Credit
will go up, and public morality will be safe."

Somewhat moved by the old lawyer's tone,

"What do you advise me to do, then?" inquired Maxence.

"The very reverse of what, on the first impulse, I advised you to
do. That's why I have come. I told you yesterday, 'Make a row,
act, scream. It is impossible that your father be alone guilty;
attack M. de Thaller.' To-day, after mature deliberation, I say,
'Keep quiet, hide yourself, let the scandal drop.'"

A bitter smile contracted Maxence's lips.

"It is not very brave advice you are giving me there," he said.

"It is a friend's advice,--the advice of a man who knows life
better than yourself. Poor young man, you are not aware of the
peril of certain struggles. All knaves are in league and sustain
each other. To attack one is to attack them all. You have no
idea of the occult influences of which a man can dispose who
handles millions, and who, in exchange for a favor, has always a
bonus to offer, or a good operation to propose. If at least I
could see any chance of success! But you have not one. You never
can reach M. de Thaller, henceforth backed by his stockholders.
You will only succeed in making an enemy whose hostility will weigh
upon your whole life."

"What does it matter?"

M. Chapelain shrugged his shoulders.

"If you were alone,