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diff --git a/old/69149-0.txt b/old/69149-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a2ed18f..0000000 --- a/old/69149-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13744 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The woman of mystery, by Georges Ohnet, -Translated by Fred Rothwell - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - - - -Title: The woman of mystery - - -Author: Georges Ohnet - - - -Release Date: October 13, 2022 [eBook #69149] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOMAN OF MYSTERY*** - - -This etext was transcribed by Les Bowler - - - - - - THE - WOMAN OF MYSTERY - - - * * * * * - - BY - - GEORGES OHNET - - AUTHOR OF “THE IRONMASTER,” “DOCTOR RAMEAU,” ETC. - - * * * * * - - TRANSLATED BY FRED. ROTHWELL, B.A. - - [Picture: Publisher’s logo] - - A NEW EDITION - - * * * * * - - LONDON - CHATTO & WINDUS - - 1904 - - * * * * * - - PRINTED BY - WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, - LONDON AND BECCLES. - - - - -CONTENTS - - PAGE -PART I 1 -PART II 135 -PART III 260 - - - - -PART I - - -CHAPTER I - - -IN his study, situated in the Rue Saint-Dominique, the Minister of War -was walking to and fro. In furious fashion he twisted his moustache, -which seemed even redder than usual, as he nervously fingered his -eyeglass, in a manner which promised anything but a cordial welcome to -any who entered his presence. Doubtless, his officers were well -acquainted with the reasons of his ill-humour, for a profound silence -reigned all around, and the great man’s solitude was undisturbed save by -the querulous twitterings of the birds in the garden. A minute later, he -seemed to lose all patience, and, marching to the mantelpiece, he pressed -an electric bell. An usher, with anxious mien, at once approached. - -“Has Colonel Vallenot returned?” exclaimed the Minister, in fierce tones. - -The servant shrunk away, as though he would have liked the earth to open -and swallow him; then he stammered, faintly— - -“I do not think so, sir—I will ask—” - -The General became purple with rage. An oath burstforth from his lips -like a bombshell, then a second, the third was useless. The door was -again closed, the servant had vanished. - -“What can Vallenot be doing all the time he has been gone?” muttered the -Minister, as he resumed his pacing about the room. “Ah! This is the way I -am served!” - -Before he could finish, the usher had opened the door, and announced— - -“Colonel Vallenot.” - -A man of fifty years of age, tall and thin, with blue eyes and light -moustache, marched briskly into the room, and, after saluting his -superior in friendly wise, said— - -“You seem to have lost all patience, General. I found an officer waiting -for me at the very door of the War Office. The fact is, this has been -anything but a small matter. After all, I have done everything possible—” - -“Indeed!” interrupted the Minister, impatiently. “You have just come from -Vanves?” - -“Yes, General.” - -“Alone?” - -“No; I took with me one of our cleverest detectives. You had not given me -this authorization, but I took upon myself the responsibility.” - -“You have done quite right. But are you sure he is trustworthy?” - -“Absolutely. He is a former sub-officer. Besides, I did not reveal to him -the real object of my researches; he knows nothing important, and -imagines he has simply been my auxiliary in an inquiry into the causes of -a catastrophe hitherto ill-explained. We have nothing to fear in this -direction.” - -“Well, what has been the result of your researches?” - -“If you will allow me, General, we will divide the inquiry into two -parts, one consisting of moral circumstances, the other of material -facts. The affair is more complicated than you at first thought, and when -I have finished, your embarrassment, instead of having lessened, will -probably have increased.” - -“Impossible!” - -He sat down before the desk, leaned over on his elbows, and, motioning to -the Colonel to take a seat in an armchair by his side, said— - -“Now, tell me everything.” - -“The house tenanted by General de Trémont is situated above the village -of Vanves, near the fort. It was the night-watch which gave the alarm, -and the garrison which organized first aid when the fire broke out. -Nothing worth mentioning remains of the building. The explosion of the -combustible matter contained in the laboratory has disorganized the very -foundations, and the effect has been formidable. Stones hurled into the -air have been found more than a mile distant, and the surrounding gardens -belonging to the peasants are covered with _débris_. Had there been -houses in the neighbourhood, the loss to property would have been -enormous—” - -The Minister interrupted. - -“The effects of melinite, probably?” - -“No, General, something quite different! Increase a hundred-fold the -effects of the powder actually employed in charging our bombshells, and -then perhaps you will have the equivalent of the destructive power -revealed by the explosion of General de Trémont’s laboratory.” - -The Minister shook his head. - -“Yes; that is what he told me the last time I saw him at the Artillery -meeting. He was on the trace of a discovery destined to give to our -cannons so crushing a superiority that we were to become for long the -arbiters of victory. The struggle against us would have been marked by -such massacres, accomplished with such absolute precision, that our -military supremacy would have been certain once more. Has this had -anything to do with the discovery?” - -“Then you admit, General, that malevolence may not have been entirely -foreign to this mishap!” - -“I admit nothing, Vallenot. I suspect everything. When you have told me -all you know, we will talk it over. Continue.” - -“On reaching the spot, we found a body of troops, who had been ordered by -the Ministry to proceed there, guarding the approaches of the property. -There was already collected a crowd of three or four hundred people, -discussing the matter, without counting a score of journalists, who made -more noise than all the others together. They were complaining that they -were not allowed to visit the spot _where_ the explosion had taken place -among the still smoking ruins of the villa. But there was in command a -stern little lieutenant, who, in quite military fashion, had maintained -order. Probably the press will be against us, but in the mean time we -shall not have been interrupted; and that is something to be thankful -for. Inside, there was only the secretary of the Prefecture of Police and -the head of the detective force. My agent and I had come at the right -moment. The researches were just beginning—” - -“_Where_? In the house?” - -“On the site of what had been the house, and which now offered to the -gaze nothing but a gaping hole, at the bottom of which appeared a cellar, -the vaults of which had been burst open. A staved-in barrel of wine -formed a red pool on the floor. Not a trace of the staircase remained. -The very steps had disappeared, and the stones were broken up into -fragments as large as pigeons’ eggs. Never should I have thought such a -crumbling possible. Wonderful to relate, one side of a wall which must -have belonged to a wash-house remained standing, along with a narrow -window, in the iron bars of which a cloth-rag was waving. We were all -staring at this solitary vestige of the disaster, when the chief of the -detective force cautiously approached the spot. Raising his stick, he -touched the shapeless rag hanging there, picked it up from the ground -with an exclamation of surprise, and exposed it to our gaze. It was a -human arm, still covered with both coat and shirt sleeves, cut off at the -elbow, and covered with blood, the hand quite black.” - -“Most extraordinary!” exclaimed the Minister. - -“Rather sinister, General,” continued Colonel Vallenot. “I have seen -hundreds of men killed on the field of battle, and thousands of wounded -carried off in ambulances. At Gravelotte, I saw the head of the captain -of my squadron roll at my feet, and the eyes wink repeatedly in the dust. -It had been carried off by the bursting of a shell. In Tonkin I have -found soldiers cut in four, their faces still grinning in spite of their -torture. But never have I been so impressed as I was by this human arm, -the sole remaining vestige of the drama we were trying to understand. The -Government agent was the first to regain his _sang froid_, and he said, -‘Gentlemen, this is an important piece of evidence. This arm has -evidently been hurled across these bars by the explosion. But to whom did -it belong? Is it one of the ill-fated General de Trémont’s arms?’ ‘The -General did not live alone in the villa,’ observed the detective. ‘There -was a cook and a man-servant. Let us at once eliminate the supposition of -the cook. This is a man’s arm; accordingly, it belonged either to the -General or to his valet. Unless—’ There was a silence. The Government -agent turned towards him and said, ‘Well, finish. Unless it belongs to -the author of the catastrophe himself.’” - -“Ah!” said the Minister; “then he, too, thought the affair might be the -result of a crime.” - -“Yes, General; and, as he spoke, he examined with the most minute -attention the smutty, blackened hand. Carefully separating the fingers, -he drew from the fourth finger a ring, which none of us had noticed; and, -holding it aloft in triumph, said, ‘The question is decided, if this ring -belongs to the General. If not, we still doubtless possess a valuable -piece of circumstantial evidence, which will permit us to unravel the -mystery.’” - -“A ring! The deuce! I never remember seeing Trémont wearing a ring! No! I -would take my oath on it. He never wore an ornament of any kind in his -life, much less a ring. It would have been absurd in a man who was in the -habit of handling acids from morning to night! No metal would have -resisted the oxidising action of the substances he used in his -experiments. But what kind of a ring was it?” - -“An engagement ring, General. When rubbed with a glove-skin, the gold -circle shone out, freed from the soot which tarnished it. Our agent -fingered it a moment, then pressed it with his nail, and the ring -separated in two. ‘Look here, gentlemen!’ he exclaimed. ‘There are -letters engraved in the interior. Whatever happens, we now hold a clue.’” - -“This fellow has, indeed, proved himself very clever, Vallenot,” said the -Minister. “Up to the present, I find that he is the only one who has -shown any initiative. I must remember it.” - -“Wait a little, General. I have not yet reached the end. The Government -agent had taken up the engagement ring, and was examining it. He finally -placed it coolly in his pocket, with the words, ‘We will look into this -later on.’ And there we all stood, rather discountenanced by the strange -intervention of the magistrate in leaving our curiosity thus -disappointed. On due reflection, perhaps he was right in postponing for a -more thorough examination the information destined to result from this -discovery, in not publishing proofs which might be of supreme importance. -Still, if he wished to keep the secret of his investigations, he was -disappointed, for at that very moment our agent, pursuing his inquiries, -had removed the double sleeve, and laid bare the naked arm. This time it -was no longer possible to conceal what he had found. On the forearm, -between the wrist and the bleeding end, a blue tattooing appeared, -representing a heart surrounded with flames, around which could be read -the words ‘Hans and Minna,’ and beneath the German word ‘Immer,’ -signifying ‘Always.’ ‘Gentlemen,’ said the Government agent, fixing his -eyeglass, ‘I demand of you the utmost discretion. A single word on what -we have just discovered might have the most serious consequences. We may -be in presence of an anarchist plot, or be obliged to suspect foreign -interference. The affair is assuming quite unexpected proportions. In all -probability a crime has been committed.’” - -“The deuce!” exclaimed the Minister. “I say, Vallenot, this is becoming -serious! Perhaps we ought at once to inform the President of the Board -of—” - -“The secretary of the Prefect of Police must have done so already. As -soon as he saw how matters were turning, he did not wait for the end of -the inquiry, but immediately rode off to the Place Beauvau.” - -“The first thing to do is to prevent the press from saying anything -silly. If we have a crow to pick with foreign agents, for Trémont’s -investigations were suspected in Europe, it is of the highest importance -that no suspicions be aroused, so that we may try to seize the authors of -this guilty attempt.” - -“That is what we thought, General, and, consequently, all arrangements -have at once been taken. It was absolutely necessary to throw public -opinion on a false scent. Accordingly, the theory of a chance accident -was inevitable. It was at once decided that all communications made to -the press should have this object in view. General de Trémont was rather -eccentric, we must say, engaged in commercial chemical investigations, -and it was his imprudence which had brought about the accident which has -now cost him his life.” - -“Poor Trémont! So fine a savant as he was! Well! well! State reasons must -predominate. But it is hard to contribute in heaping calumnies on an old -comrade!” - -“Do not have such thoughts, General,” interrupted Colonel Vallenot, with -a smile. “There are surprises in store for us which will, doubtless, -lessen your regret.” - -“What do you mean?” said the rough soldier, frowning. “You do not intend -to utter calumnies against my friend from childhood, my comrade in war?” - -“God forbid, General! I shall simply give you the facts on which you -desired information. If I have the misfortune to displease you, you will -not be angry with me; you are too just for that.” - -“What is the meaning of this silence? Continue right to the end, Colonel; -speak freely.” - -“So I intend to do, General. Well, then, the secretary of the Prefect of -Police had just undertaken to supply the version arranged by us to the -numerous reporters waiting there, held in check by the line of troops, -and to inform the Minister of the Interior, in case the police might have -to be called in, when a great uproar arose from the direction of the -village. A tumult of cries and shouts was heard. The lieutenant was -preparing to go and see what was happening, when a man, breaking through -the sentinels, ran up to us, bare-headed, with troubled countenance, and -exclaiming, in tones of despair, ‘My master! O God! What has happened to -the house? Not one stone left on another!’ Thereupon he halted, sank down -on the ruins, and began to weep bitterly. We looked at him in silence, -moved by his grief, and foreseeing some speedy enlightenment on the dark -situation we were in. ‘Who are you, my friend?’ asked the Government -agent. The man raised his head, passed his hand over his eyes to brush -away his tears, and, raising up to us a countenance at once intelligent -and determined, said, ‘The General’s head servant, sir, for the last -twenty years. Ah! If I had been there, this disaster might perhaps have -been avoided! At any rate, I would have died with him!’” - -“It was Baudoin!” exclaimed the General. “The brave fellow had escaped! -Ah! That is fortunate. We shall learn something from him!” - -“Yes, General, but not the enlightenment we expected. Rather the -contrary.” - -“In what way the contrary?” - -“I will explain. The night before, about six o’clock, the General was in -his garden, strolling about, after working all day in the laboratory, -when a telegram reached him from Vanves. He read it, continued his walk -for a few minutes, with bowed head, as though in profound meditation, -then he called Baudoin. ‘You must set out for Paris,’ he said to him. ‘I -have an important order to give to my chemist, who lives in the Place de -la Sorbonne. Give him this letter, then go to M. Baradier and pay him my -respects. Then dine, and, if you like to spend the evening at the -theatre, you may do so; here is a five franc piece. Return to-morrow -morning with the chemicals.’ - -“Baudoin, who knew what it all meant, understood that the General wished -him to leave the house for the whole night. He was anything but pleased -at this, because, he said, it was not the first time that it had -happened, and always under the same circumstances: the arrival of a -telegram, and the dismissal immediately following. - -“Still, the General did not give a holiday to the cook, with whom he was -less cautious, as she was in the habit of going bed very early, which -fact rendered any surveillance she might have exercised almost null. So -the General needed to be alone from time to time. And he took care to -send away the faithful servant, on whom he might have relied for the most -complete discretion. What reason had he? This was what troubled Baudoin, -and displeased him. So little was he accustomed to conceal his thoughts -from his master that the latter noticed his sulky mood, and said to him: -‘What is the matter? Don’t you want me to send you to Paris? Are you to -be pitied for the opportunity of going and enjoying yourself?’ ‘I don’t -care about going to the theatre,’ Baudoin had said, ‘but I do about -performing my duty.’ ‘Very well, you are doing your duty; you are obeying -the order I have given you, to fetch for me some chemical products, -dangerous to handle, but which I must have; besides, you are to call on -my friend Baradier. Now go. I do not want you before to-morrow morning.’ -‘Very well, sir.’ - -“But Baudoin was anything but pleased, a secret anxiety troubled him. -Proceeding to the kitchen, he said to the cook, ‘Last time the General -sent me to Paris, what happened during the night? Did the General dine as -usual? Did he shut himself up in his study, or did he go into the garden? -At what time did he retire for the night? Did nothing happen out of the -ordinary?’ - -“The woman said she knew nothing, she had noticed nothing unusual, and -was very much astonished at his questions. He saw she was a thousand -leagues from suspecting anything, so he did not press his questions. -Still, although deeply respecting his master’s wishes, his interest in -his welfare made him less strictly obedient, and he resolved to feign a -departure, then take up a post outside, so that he might see what took -place once the General was sure there was no inconvenient observer to be -dreaded. The weather was exceedingly mild. Not a breath of air, and the -gardens, filled with roses, shed forth exquisite odours as night -approached. - -“Baudoin, after dressing himself, went to take leave of his master, -received from him a list of the chemical products to be purchased, a few -lines for his friend Baradier, and then took his departure. He went -straight to the station, dined in a small restaurant close by, and, after -nightfall, returned towards the house of his master. He dared not enter -the garden, as he was afraid he would be noticed by the General, so he -slipped into a cottage garden, the owner of which was his friend, and -concealed himself in a small hut used for storing tools. - -“From this spot he could keep an eye on the approaches of the villa, and, -along a thick hedge, come right up to the wall adjoining the General’s -property. He sat down, lit his pipe, and waited. A few minutes before -eight, the roll of a carriage was heard on the road. Baudoin, in ambush -behind the hedge, was keeping a sharp look-out. By the light of the -lantern he saw a brougham, drawn by two horses, pass by. Something told -him that this carriage contained the persons the General was expecting. -He ran along, right to the wall of the villa, and reached it the very -moment the brougham came to a stop before the door. But he was not the -only one on the look-out, for scarcely had the horses, still panting from -the steep ascent, come to a halt, than the lofty form of the General -showed itself through the darkness. At the same time, an impatient hand -opened the door, and a man’s voice said, in foreign accents, ‘Ah! -General, so you have come to meet us?’ M. de Trémont simply replied, ‘Is -the Baroness there?’ ‘Certainly,’ replied the voice of a woman. ‘Could -you imagine otherwise?’ The man was the first to descend. But the General -gave him no time to help his companion to descend; he sprang forward with -the eagerness of a lover, and, almost carrying off the lady in his arms, -exclaimed, with extraordinary ardour, ‘Come, madame, you have nothing to -fear—no one can see you.’ The man uttered a brutal laugh, and said, in -guttural tones, ‘Do not trouble about me, I will follow you,’ and all -three disappeared into the garden. Baudoin, astonished, had only time to -place on the wall a ladder which happened to be there. As soon as he -could look into his master’s garden, the alleys were empty, but the large -window of the laboratory was shining through the darkness. The faithful -fellow said to himself, ‘What is to be done? Enter the house? Play the -spy on the General? Disobey his orders? For what reason? Has he not the -right to receive any one he pleases? What am I thinking about? Is it -likely that the people he receives are objects of suspicion? Their -carriage is waiting at the door, a sign that they will not remain long, -but will return to Paris immediately. Here I am, troubling my head for -nothing in all probability! All I can do now is to obey my master.’ He -descended the ladder, proceeded along the hedge, left the garden, and -reached the railway. His master’s orders were now literally followed, -except that the drug store was closed when he arrived there, and he was -obliged to return the following morning. When he reached Vanves, he found -the approaches to the General’s property occupied by a guard, the villa -in ruins, and his master vanished from the scene of the catastrophe.” - -Colonel Vallenot had finished. Profound silence, interrupted only by the -twittering of the birds in the neighbouring trees, reigned in the -Minister’s study. The old soldier, leaning forward on his desk, his head -resting on his hand, was buried in reflection. After a short pause, he -said, with a sigh— - -“How surprising all this is! Doubtless here is the key of the whole -matter. These two unknown characters, one with a foreign accent, coming -mysteriously by night to see Trémont, and their visit followed by such a -frightful cataclysm; what does it all mean? Is it an accident or a crime? -And, if a crime, what motive inspired it?” - -Rising, he crossed to the window, with anxious mien, then returned -mechanically to his desk, resumed his seat, and, again fixing his eyes on -the Colonel, said— - -“Well! Vallenot, what happened after this honest fellow had finished his -tale? What measures were taken?” - -“A squad of soldiers from the fort had been sent for, and the ruins were -carefully searched, under the supervision of the police. Nothing, -however, was found. The destruction was too complete. With the exception -of the side of the wall still standing, not a single piece of anything -was left whole. Still, after a couple of hours’ examination of the -_débris_, from which arose a very strong odour of fulminate of mercury, -the diggers brought to light an iron chest, with broken hinges, the -bottom of which was curiously pierced with thousands of holes as though -with an auger.” - -“That is one result of the explosion,” interrupted the Minister. “You are -aware that we have in our shrapnels similar cases of rupture. It is quite -possible the initial explosion took place in this chest. Has it been -kept?” - -“It was handed over to the Government agent.” - -“We may need it again when we undertake an analysis of the substances -which occasioned the deflagration. Finish your explanations. What became -of the carriage stationed in front of the door?” - -“The carriage must have left before the accident. There was not a trace -of it on the road near the villa. The customs officers, on being -interrogated, declared that a brougham, driven by two horses, returned to -Paris about eleven o’clock. To the question, ‘Have you anything to -declare?’ a female voice had replied, ‘Nothing.’ As for the explosion, -the guard at the fort reports that it took place about three o’clock in -the morning.” - -“Then the man with the foreign accent had remained, after the departure -of the carriage?” - -“Most probably.” - -“You are not certain?” - -“I did not wait for the end of the investigations; I came away to inform -you of what I had learnt, leaving behind me our agent, with orders to -return here at once, after the final statement had been made.” - -“Perhaps he is here now?” - -Colonel Vallenot pressed the electric knob, and the usher appeared. - -“Has Laforêt returned?” - -“Yes, Colonel, a minute ago.” - -“Send him here.” - -Closing the door with considerable precaution, the agent, with firm step, -a sonorous cough, and head raised in military fashion, as he stood at -attention, appeared before his principals. - -The Minister examined for a moment the man’s frank, martial face; then he -asked briefly— - -“Colonel Vallenot has reported all that had taken place up to the time of -his departure from Vanves. Complete his version by telling us what you -have learnt since. Take a seat, Vallenot.” - -“Monsieur le Ministre,” said the agent, “I will come at once to the most -important point: the body of General de Trémont has been found.” - -“In the ruins?” - -“In the garden. At first no one thought of searching beyond the house and -the _débris_. It was whilst exploring the bushes that the body of the -General was discovered, close to the entrance gate.” - -“What! Had the explosion projected him so far?” - -The agent replied— - -“The body had not been projected by the explosion. It had remained on the -very spot where it had been struck by a knife under the left -shoulder-blade. The General was dead when the explosion took place, and -certainly the explosion was caused by the assassin.” - -“The man with the foreign accent? The companion of the lady the General -called ‘Baroness’?” - -The agent kept his countenance before these bold questions. For a moment -he appeared to be reflecting; then he said— - -“Yes, the one who has left his arm in the ruins of the villa, and who in -forcing open the chest escaped death only by a miracle. The man named -Hans, in short.” - -“But what makes you say that he escaped death?” asked the Minister. - -“Because I found tracks in the garden continued outside on the road he -followed, leaving his blood behind at every step. The man must be endowed -with indomitable energy to have had the strength to escape, mutilated as -he was, to reach the fields, and there, doubtless, find some market cart -or other to pick him up and carry him to Paris; but this is an additional -inquiry to be made, and a track to be followed up.” - -“In your opinion, then, it is the man who came with the woman who killed -the General?” - -“Yes, Monsieur le Ministre; most likely when the General was conducting -them back to the carriage. The murder took place close to the gate. The -sand is trodden down as though a struggle had taken place, and the body -had been carried off behind the bushes. The traces of the trailing legs -are quite visible. The woman probably helped. At any rate, once the -murder accomplished, she must have left, whilst the man stayed behind. He -robbed the General of his keys, which never left him, and which have not -been found; in addition, he took his watch and portfolio, so that it -might be believed that a murder, the motive of which was robbery, had -been committed; then he entered the villa, and worked in the laboratory. -It was with the laboratory that he had to do.” - -“How do you know this?” - -“From what Baudoin, his valet, said. It appears that, one day, whilst -placing things in order, in the cabinet of the General, the latter -entered on his way from the laboratory. He took a few paces in the room, -rubbing his hands together; then he said almost to himself, ‘This time -our fortune is made! What will Hans say?’ For a week the General had been -working hard at an experiment, which had hitherto failed, and from which -he expected great results. On different occasions, formerly, he had -temporarily dismissed his valet, certainly with the object of receiving -his mysterious guests at night.” - -“Good; we will admit what you say regarding the man,” said the Minister, -captivated by the explanations of his agent. “But, in your opinion, what -shall we think of the _rôle_ played by the woman?” - -“That is much more evident, Monsieur le Ministre; both indications and -proofs abound. The General de Trémont has been the victim of a too tender -disposition. I know nothing of the General’s secrets or researches, -though the journals have on different occasions spoken of his -investigations. He was a member of the Academy of Science, and his -reputation as a savant was fully established. Suppose for a moment that -M. de Trémont had made a discovery of interest to the future of European -armies, and that some one Power wished to obtain information as to the -value of his invention—obtain possession of it, perhaps. Do we not know -that women have been, only too often, the best political agents employed -in our country? In spite of his age, the General remained very -susceptible. A young woman, beautiful and intelligent, is placed in his -path. He meets her by chance, falls in love with her. But the fair one is -guarded; she is obliged to take great precautions. A complaisant friend, -relation, perhaps, under the cover of science, facilitates the interviews -by accompanying the lady, so as to throw some imaginary rival off the -track. Whilst the old lover is paying his court, the benevolent -companion, observes, takes his measures, skilfully questions, and obtains -the confidence of the one to whom he is rendering a service. Passion -lulls all fear, and a sweet smile and caressing eyes drive one to acts of -folly. Then, one fine night, the General de Trémont, who has, doubtless, -finished his discovery, is visited by the unknown couple. The woman tries -to obtain the secret. She does not succeed. Then the man, as a last -extremity, decides to strike. The General falls under the dagger; his -accomplice takes to flight. The assassin returns with the keys, searches -the laboratory, and tries to open the chest containing the precious -products. But the dreaded powder, unskilfully handled, avenges its maker, -and, in a terrible explosion, annihilates at the same time both formula -and the one trying to steal it. This is how it is possible, Monsieur le -Ministre, to make a guess at the events now occupying our attention. -But—I do not wish to deceive myself—this is only conjecture. There may be -other versions, more certain, if not more likely. What is an absolute -fact is that General de Trémont has been assassinated, that the murderer -was one of the two persons received that night at the villa, and that the -explosion following on the crime has been caused by the imprudence of the -man we may name Hans, who has been grievously wounded.” - -The Minister and Colonel Vallenot looked at one another for a moment in -silence. Then the Minister said to the agent— - -“I thank you for your report, but do not trouble any further in the -matter, which is in the hands of the police. If we have any additional -investigations to make, I will send for you. Now go, and do not say a -word to any one on the matter.” - -Laforêt bowed, gave a military salute, and, with the same tranquil -precision, left the room. The two principals sat there absorbed by what -they had heard, going over once more all the details of this drama, which -was becoming materially so clear, but remained morally so obscure. The -precautions taken by the two accomplices appeared so perfect, that it was -doubtful whether the truth could be learned concerning them. One hope -remained—the wounded man, with his arm cut off, might be found, half-dead -with exhaustion on the road. By questioning the inhabitants of the -neighbourhood, the man might be discovered; doubtless the police were -already on the track, and the most adroit detectives as well. - -“You know, Vallenot, Trémont was my senior. He retired before the age -limit, the more easily to devote his time to scientific research; as he -had serious money difficulties.” - -“And now,” said Colonel Vallenot, “we have reached the point I wished to -come to, when I said, at the beginning of my report, that, after -examining the material facts, we should deal with the moral -considerations of this affair. The examination of facts is over. There -has been the death of a man, probably an attempt at robbery, and finally, -the complete destruction of an inhabited house. But under what conditions -have all these criminal acts been accomplished?” - -“I understand what you mean. You see in this affair something other than -a criminal attempt. You suspect a plot of a special order, something very -delicate, fastidious, dangerous even.” - -“Yes, General, because in this case, we have not our hands quite free in -the search of the causes, hindered as we are by diplomacy, by politics, -and often even by such unexpected complicities that we are first obliged -to beat about the bush, then to withdraw, and finally, give up all idea -of proceeding with rigour. Shall I enumerate the affairs in which we have -come to no certain issue for several years?” - -“It is unnecessary, I am sufficiently well informed on the situation, and -have a tolerably good idea of what you possess in the archives. How long -have you been in the Ministry, Vallenot?” - -“Ten years, occupying different positions, with intervals of service in -the regiments. We have never ceased being exploited by other nations, -with a skill, an audacity, and a perseverance, against which all our -efforts have been in vain. The most important captures have always been -effected by women. Accordingly, when the servant of General de Trémont -spoke of this nocturnal lady-visitor, my suspicions were immediately -aroused.” - -“Explain yourself.” - -“It is not the first time, General, that we have had to deal with this -mysterious woman, who comes and passes away, leaving ruin and bloodshed -in her train. Her manner of procedure is always the same: she fixes her -mind on some one whom she knows to be in a position to give up to her -some important secret or other, then she seduces him, until, in the end, -he betrays it. Then, she casts him off, like useless _débris_. A creature -to be dreaded, if I may judge by the results she has already obtained, -and a powerful corruptress. No heart is proof against her alluring -temptations. She artfully graduates the doses of her love-philtre; and -the noblest minds, the most upright consciences, and the staunchest -courage bend and capitulate at a sign from her. Do you remember the -ill-fated Commandant Cominges, who blew out his brains, without anything -being publicly known as to the reason? The woman had come along. Cominges -had become her slave. A part of our mobilization had become known. Before -killing himself, Cominges swore that the documents had been stolen from -his dwelling, whilst he was absent with this woman. He had made the grave -mistake of taking them from the office to work on them, and the still -graver one of saying that they were in his possession. But the poor -fellow had confidence in her. He was a man of honour, a gallant soldier. -A pistol-shot settled the whole matter.” - -“What was the woman’s name?” - -“Madame Ferranti. She took most careful precautions in seeing Cominges, -presumably on account of her family. One of our agents, however, was -acquainted with her. Within six months he died by an accident. He was, -one evening, travelling by rail from Auteuil. They found him dead under a -tunnel. Doubtless he had leaned out too far from the carriage.” - -“The deuce!” - -“The following year the young Captain Fontenailles, a fine young fellow -we were all fond of, was induced by a woman, whom his comrades called the -‘Ténébreuse,’ because no one of them ever saw her, to disclose certain -confidences. Understanding the gravity of his conduct, he went to his -superior and confessed everything. The latter succeeded in repairing the -damage done by changing the key to the secret writings. Captain -Fontenailles left for Tonkin, where he fell, fighting bravely, at the -attack of Bae-Ninh. His fault was atoned for.” - -“And the woman is always the same?” - -“According to all these gentlemen. The Ferranti of Cominges was the -Ténébreuse of Fontenailles. Then there was the Madame Gibson of the -Aerostat affair, without speaking of several other cases only partially -revealed. Always the same Ténébreuse, with the same method of procedure, -corruption. In her train, ruin, tears, and blood.” - -“How long has she been engaged in this work of intrigue?” - -“Ten years, certainly, General; and under all these impersonations we -have not been able to lay our hands on her. She is only known by her -professional names.” - -“What a deep-dyed scoundrel! We must try to cut short her career.” - -“Nothing more difficult. Once the _coup_ accomplished, she disappears, as -does an eel, gliding about in the mud, in which it remains hidden until -the water again becomes clear. She arranges in such a way as to cut off -all communications behind her; that is her method. For instance, in this -new affair, we shall have to struggle in the dark. Search will be made -for some time, but no clue will be found. The accomplices, as well as the -principal instigator of the crime, will now have got to earth. By degrees -the search will calm down, and something else will be on the tapis. At -any rate, it is in this way that the majority of these cases end, -unless—” - -“Unless? Ah! You still hope something may happen?” - -“Unless this time the wounded accomplice affords us a trace. Let us -merely hold one end of the conducting wire, and I promise you, General, -we will arrive at some result or other, if only to avenge our poor -comrades.” - -“And to prevent the repetition of similar accidents. For, after all, -Vallenot, you will agree with me that it is rather too much for foreign -Powers to become acquainted with our most secret affairs, as though they -were matter of discussion on the public thoroughfares.” - -“We are as well acquainted with foreign affairs, General, as they are -with ours,” said the Colonel with less sullen mien. “To sum up, there are -always two at the game; it has ever been so. Ay, the very time, in 1812, -when Russia was procuring information as to the efficiency of the -Emperor’s troops, Caulaincourt sent to Napoleon the engraved copper -plates of the map of Russia. I quote this fact of days gone by without -alluding to contemporary events. But, taking everything into -consideration, General, our secrets are scarcely secrets at all. If, in -war, reliance were placed on nothing beyond mysterious preparations—” - -“Then we should have to start by abolishing the press,” muttered the -Minister. - -“And that is impossible!” said Vallenot. “Still, in this special case -before us, we must undertake the task of clearing the moral atmosphere, -and employ every means possible, if we would succeed.” - -“That concerns the legal authorities now.” - -“Officially, General; but we also, on our side, may investigate, in a -quiet way, and I have no doubt—” - -“The lesson to be learned is that our officers are becoming too gallant!” - -“If you know any means, General,” said Vallenot, with a laugh, “of -suppressing that, please tell me.” - -“To think of this old General! Sixty years old, too! True, he did not -appear more than fifty! In what position does he leave his daughter?” - -“General de Trémont was a widower?” - -“Yes, that is his excuse! But he has a daughter, still at school. She is -eighteen years old, and without dowry. Luckily, Baradier is there.” - -“You mean Baradier and Graff, the bankers?” - -“Certainly. Baradier fought in the war of 1870; he is a true patriot, and -his son, Marcel, a fine young fellow, just out of the Central School, has -been working with General de Trémont. Marcel Baradier was principally -occupied in investigating vegetable dyes, connected with the woollen -weaving manufactures his father owns in the Aube. But the General opened -his laboratory to him, and probably informed him of his own -investigations. We may learn a great deal from this young man, I think.” - -“Is the Baradier family in good circumstances?” - -“Very wealthy; their fortune daily increases from industrial and from -banking operations. It is Graff, Baradier’s step-brother, who deals more -specially with finance, whilst Baradier manages the works. Both, however, -are busily employed all day long, and the millions roll in, -notwithstanding the rivalry of the firm of Lichtenbach, who is a mortal -enemy of Baradier and Graff.” - -“Business rivalry?” - -“More than that. Personal hatred, dating from long back, and madly -fomented. They say that Lichtenbach formerly wished to marry Mademoiselle -Graff, and that he has never been able to swallow the insult Graff -inflicted on him by refusing the proposal and bestowing his sister’s hand -on his friend Baradier. Between these two families there is a whole -series of differences and grievances, which makes them implacable -enemies.” - -“Still, General, you see no relation between this hostility and the death -of General de Trémont?” - -“Not at all. Lichtenbach is a fervent Catholic, in close touch with the -Orleanist party, and, in my opinion, incapable of a dishonourable action. -Besides, what could it matter to him whether Trémont lived or died?” - -“Might not the General’s investigations have a serious interest for the -Lichtenbach firm?” - -“Doubtless! But we are well aware that Trémont has been specially -occupied within the last few weeks with the manufacture of a war powder, -the formidable effects of which we have seen in the Vanves explosion. -True, the powder in question might become a source of great profit by its -possible application to industry in modified proportions. In mines, for -instance, or the blasting of quarries, it would certainly have replaced -dynamite. There would have been a fortune in such an application of the -powder, and this Trémont was well aware of. Now it is all vanished in -smoke, and the General has taken his secret with him.” - -“Unless he had communicated it to the son of M. Baradier.” - -“Ah! that would indeed be strange!” - -Three o’clock struck; the Minister arose, and took up his hat, gloves, -and stick. - -“You are going, General?” - -“Yes, I am going to speak to Baradier on the whole matter. Madame -Baradier was particularly interested in Mademoiselle de Trémont. I intend -to pay a visit of condolence, in person, to this young lady. Her father -and myself were great friends, we made campaigns in Mexico and on the -Loire together, whilst, on the retreat from Mans, Trémont saved all our -lives, by an admirable battery arrangement in the rear of the army, which -cut short the pursuit of the Prussians. A fine soldier! One who deserved -to fall on the field of battle! But Fate decides such things. Everybody -does not die the death he wishes! Well, I will see you to-morrow, -Vallenot. And if you hear of anything fresh, ring me up on the -telephone.” - -The Colonel accompanied his principal right to the large staircase, -saluted, and returned to the office. - - - -CHAPTER II - - -IN an old hotel situated at the end of a large courtyard, in the Rue de -Provènce, has been established, for more than fifty years, the banking -firm of Baradier and Graff. Following on the war of 1870, it was usual in -business to designate this establishment under the company name of -Alsace-Lorraine. They are ardent patriots, and never since the annexation -have they returned to Metz. Still, they have never been willing to sell -any of their land property in the lost provinces. They have kept a foot -on the soil torn from France, as though they had no doubt they would -return to it some day, like masters after a long and sorrowful absence. -Baradier is a man of fifty-five years of age, stout and short, with -ruddy, pleasant face lit up by light blue eyes. Graff is tall and thin, -dark-complexioned, and of stern forbidding mien and glabrous countenance, -the complete opposite of his ally, both physically and morally. For -Baradier, with his engaging exterior, is an influential and practical -man; whilst Graff, with his cold and reserved aspect, possesses the fancy -and sensitiveness of a poet. - -In other respects, admirably equipped, the imagination of the one -moderated by the prudence of the other, and all rough points in the -determination of the former being mitigated by the benevolent gentleness -of the latter. In financial circles this fortunate want of similarity of -disposition was well known. Never did a customer, after failing with -Baradier, leave the house without calling at Graff’s office to appeal for -his intervention, and obtaining a “just leave the matter to me, I will -arrange it all” preliminary balm on the sore of displeasure, followed, in -the majority of instances, by an arrangement profitable to both parties. -For, in the long run, the two partners had reached such a point that they -profited by the differences in their dispositions, and Baradier pretended -to be altogether irreconcilable, well knowing that Graff would come in -afterwards, and have the pleasure of arranging everything to suit all -concerned. - -Baradier, hearty and happy-looking, had two children, a son aged -twenty-six and a daughter of eighteen, both admirably brought up by their -mother. Graff, solemn and sentimental, had remained a bachelor. As Marcel -Baradier said jokingly, he would be the best uncle in France in point of -inheritance. In fact, Madame Baradier’s brother loves the two children as -though they were his own, and every time Marcel commits some grave act of -folly he always appeals to Uncle Graff to settle things, as his father is -rather strict with him. Father and son, unfortunately, have often been on -anything but good terms, for Marcel, reared in the lap of luxury, and -early discovering the mercantile value of his name, has not always given -his family all the satisfaction that might have been desired. “Nothing -important,” said Uncle Graff; “merely money difficulties!” - -It was so that the taciturn and modest banker, who would not have spent a -farthing outside of his daily expenses on anything else than charity, -called the debts which young Marcel periodically gave him the opportunity -of paying. When his nephew comes for him at night, after dinner, before -leaving for the club, where he goes to indulge in a game of cards, Uncle -Graff knows at once his errand. He assumes his most gloomy aspect, sinks -into his armchair, casts a veiled glance at his rather embarrassed heir, -and, in sepulchral tones, demands— - -“Well, what is it this time?” - -Then, as Marcel develops his usual request—terribly bad luck at the -races, or at baccarat, or some love difficulty—Graff looks at his -sister’s son, and, without listening to a word, says to himself, What a -handsome fellow! How could one with such a figure help getting into a -scrape? He is popular everywhere by reason of his graciousness and -amiability. He is only twenty-six, and is it not quite natural that he -should enjoy himself while he is young? Why do Baradier and Graff engage -in banking operations all day long, anxious as to what is happening at -the London and Berlin Exchanges, as well as keeping an eye on the Bourse -of Paris, if not for this charming and agreeable young fellow to enjoy -himself whilst they are working? Well! Marcel, take your pleasure, and -take my share as well, for am I not your steward? Off to the races in a -fine turn-out, drawn by prancing horses, and take your place in the most -exclusive society; your means, those of the firm of Baradier, will permit -of all this. All the same, do not squander too much in gambling; do not -wager in too extravagant a fashion, for this is an evil passion, and very -harmful to those who recklessly give themselves up to it. In all things -else do as you wish, and then come back and give your old uncle the -pleasure of asking a service of him. - -All these reflections, however, crowding into his mind, and giving him -the most perfect satisfaction, Uncle Graff kept wisely to himself. Aloud, -he said, in that Lorraine accent he had never succeeded in abandoning— - -“How stupid you are, Marcel, to be swindled by a crowd of adventurers! A -member of the firm of Baradier and Graff ought not to behave in this way. -If your father knew he would be furious. What reply can I give him when -he accuses me of encouraging your bad conduct? He is quite right, and I -am wrong to give you money when you make such bad use of it. I shall -finish by cutting off your allowance. Do you know how much you have -received from me since the beginning of the year?” - -And as the old bachelor pretended to turn the leaves of his cash-book, -Marcel, terrified, exclaimed— - -“Oh, Uncle Graff, it shall be the last time!” - -“It is always the last time!” replied the old uncle. “Well, tell me all -about it.” - -And Marcel would enflame the old bachelor’s tender soul with his -enthusiasm, and end by obtaining all he wanted. - -Still, Uncle Graff had some excuse. Marcel did not neglect his work. -Admirably endowed by nature, the young man, as though they were a mere -pastime, had advanced considerably in his studies. He had opposed the -General de Trémont, who wished him to enter the Polytechnic School, and -afterwards the Artillery. He had preferred the Central and the General’s -chemical laboratory. Under the supervision of his father’s friend, he had -made interesting researches into mineral colouring matters, and given -Baradier the pleasure of saying: “We employ in our works dyeing -processes, invented by my son, and which are absolutely unique.” - -It was one of Uncle Graff’s grand arguments when defending Marcel— - -“You know very well that your son is a remarkable man, and that our -manufactures owe much to him!” Whereupon Baradier would reply, furiously— - -“Ah! If only he would be serious! He has every quality necessary, but he -will not make use of his gifts. Our fine young fellow will work a month a -year, and spend the other eleven in reckless folly!” - -For all that, for some time past, Marcel seemed to have sobered down, or, -rather, his mind was occupied in investigations of more than usual -interest. He no longer appeared at the club, scarcely ever went out at -nights, and, but for the fact that he still went to the races on Sundays, -one might have imagined he had entirely changed his life. Both Baradier -and Graff were equally surprised at this transformation; the father was -pleased, the uncle uneasy at it. They had spoken on the matter to the -General, who had said to them— - -“He is an extraordinary young man; you will continually have surprises -with him, but do not be anxious, he will turn out a fine man in the end. -He has great gifts. Just now he is trying to discover some process of -colour photography. Surprising results have already been obtained. Let -him alone, do not hinder him, and you will see!” - -Graff’s triumph was a brilliant, Baradier’s a quiet one. Marcel had not -even noticed the effect caused on his family. He had almost completely -quitted Paris. For three weeks he had been living at Troyes, at the Ars -manufactory, shut up in his laboratory, only returning to embrace his -mother, and give the General an account of the progress of his work. The -old chemist and the young inventor then spent delightful days in -verifying prescriptions and practising experiments. The one communicated -his calculations in the dosings of powders, the other explained his -superpositions of plates to obtain the perfect stereotypes he sought. -Then they would lunch together, and the General, as warmhearted as the -young man, would relate his former escapades, and envy the youth, whilst -admiring the strength and intelligence of this fine young fellow before -him, who combined so perfectly the capacity for study and pleasure at the -same time. - -In spite of the storms caused by Marcel’s caprices, life for Baradier and -Graff would have flown along pleasantly enough had not destiny brought -them in touch with Lichtenbach. Moses, the chief of the firm, son of a -Jew marine-store dealer of Passy-sur-Moselle, had in past times been at -school with Graff at Metz. Old Graff, who was a brewer, had dealings with -Lichtenbach, “the rabbit-skin dealer,” as he called him jokingly, and -sold him all his broken glasses and used-up barrels. He imagined him to -be poor, and liked to give him the chance of earning a little money. -Moses Lichtenbach might have been seen in the streets of Metz driving an -old grey horse, harnessed to a waggon, in which the marine-store dealer -piled up all kinds of goods and rubbish. He was a kind of wholesale -rag-picker, who helped house-wives to get rid of utensils which were no -longer of any use, and were becoming an encumbrance. He bought them -cheap, but not for nothing. Sometimes, almost ashamed of loading him with -corroded stove-pipes, broken shovels, worn-out carpets, and even old -straw, or shavings, they would say to him, “Take it, Moses, for the -trouble of carting it away.” He would reply, “No! no! Everything has some -value or other; I pay little, but I pay.” - -It was a point of honour with him to pay. Several people shrugged their -shoulders, with a smile, as they said to themselves, “The old madman that -he is! What use will he make of all that rubbish?” They were in the -wrong. Everything had a value, as Moses affirmed, and this was proved -when, after the war, the old man left Metz, and settled in Paris, in the -rue de la Chaussee d’Antin, in a small shop, above the door of which he -had painted the sign: “Lichtenbach, money-changer.” It was in this modest -counter that the Passy dealer, leaving Lorraine, which had become part of -the Empire, had commenced his new business, ceasing to buy and sell old -iron in order to buy and sell money. But one grave event had happened, -which had in no slight degree contributed to the exodus of the -Lichtenbach family from Passy to Paris, and to the change of business. - -The first cannon-shots of the war, fired at Forbach, had been, for the -majority of the inhabitants of Metz and its environs, the signal for -departure. The farmers and peasants strictly bound down to the land were -the only ones to remain in the villages. All who were free of action had -loaded the waggons with their trunks, and reached the towns, to shelter -themselves from the enemy, whose approach was announced by defeats and -disasters. The highways in the direction of Thionville, Metz, and Verdun -were covered with carts and flocks. The majority of the fugitives made -their way towards the interior, making forced marches, to escape the -invasion, which, according to them, must, of necessity, halt, crushed -before the strongholds of the East. Contrary to the general impulse, -Moses, decided on leaving Passy, had not bent his steps towards the -centre of France. Instead of moving away from the invader he had marched -towards him, and leaving behind in the shop everything cumbersome and -worthless, had reached Metz with six baggage waggons, carefully covered, -and had settled in a small street near the cathedral, with his wife and -son, Elias. - -Moses had been well received. Through seeing him, along with his waggon -and old horse, all over the town, everybody knew him. Some, more cunning -than others, said, “Old Moses is a sly fellow. If Metz is besieged he -will buy the broken fragments of German shells as old iron, and continue -his business.” But they were wrong. Old iron was not now the end of -Lichtenbach’s ambition. He had guessed that a stout siege and an -energetic defence would take place, that victuals would soon become -scarce for the town population, and that whoever had the disposal, at a -given time, of special food products, might, by selling them at a high -price, make a considerable profit. - -Accordingly he had entered the town with his six waggons, whilst in his -cellar were carefully stored quantities of brandy, coffee, sugar, ham, -and a dozen barrels of salt. He had spent a portion of the ready money he -possessed in procuring these stores, and had awaited results. Meanwhile, -all the Lorraine youth left. The male population which had not become -enrolled in the army, as being under age, undertook to resist the -invaders. The old martial blood boiled in French hearts, and the young -Graff, returned from the town hall, a cockade in his hat, when he met on -the square Elias Lichtenbach, walking about smoking a pipe. - -Scores of times, extending over long years, whilst old Moses was -stationed at Graff’s door loading old iron, or buying the skins of goats -or hares killed by the brewer the previous Sunday, had the two boys -played together. Antoine carried off young Elias into the garden, and, -between them, to the great wrath of Madame Graff, they would climb the -wall and steal the fruit, still unripe. They often played at marbles, but -in spite of Elias’s utmost efforts, he could never succeed in -transferring his glass ones for Antoine’s agate ones. He was the only boy -in the town he had not succeeded in exploiting. One day even Antoine -proved himself the more cunning, and succeeded in getting Elias to take -an old broken sword in exchange for six enormous marbles quite new. Moses -was obliged to confess, with a feeling of humiliation, that the young -Graff had proved himself more shrewd than the young Lichtenbach. - -It must be stated that, on that occasion, Catherine Graff was present, -and, with the object of dazzling his friend’s sister, Elias had shown -unwonted generosity. This young girl had even then the power of troubling -the young boy. - -As he saw his former companion pass by, proud of his patriotic -determination, Elias had taken the pipe from his mouth, and said— - -“Where are you going, Antoine?” - -“To join the 27th line regiment at Chalons.” - -“What! Have you enlisted?” - -“Yes, like every one else of my age. Are not you going to do the same?” - -“I don’t know; my father has said nothing to me about it.” - -“Are you to wait for your father’s orders before doing your duty?” - -Elias scratched his head, whilst his whole face expressed uncertainty and -embarrassment. - -“But he needs me for the business.” - -“France also needs you, and more urgently than your father.” - -“I am only nineteen years old.” - -“And I, not yet twenty.” - -“Yes, you are right, I will go and speak to my father about it.” - -“If I do not see you again, good-bye.” - -“Good-bye, and good luck.” - -Elias, in greater trouble than he had ever been before, made his way to -his father’s shop, and found old Moses in the cellar in the act of -bottling brandy. The son was warmly received by his father, and -Lichtenbach, filling a goblet, held it out to his son and heir. - -“Taste this cognac, it is very palatable! In a short time it will fetch -twenty francs a litre; there will be only ourselves who will drink it for -nothing, my son!” - -“You will drink of it, perhaps, father,” said Elias, troubled. “But I—” - -“What! You? What is the meaning of this?” - -“Shall I be by your side when the cost of this good liquor has mounted to -that price?” - -“Well! Where will you be?” - -“Where all the youths of the village are—in the army.” - -“You in the army, Elias; what will you do there?” - -“Fight, like the others.” - -Old Moses, by the light of the candle, which lit the cellar, looked at -his son in utter bewilderment. He could not believe his own ears. Still -he said— - -“Fight? Why fight?” - -“To defend the country.” - -“What country?” - -“France, where I have lived and been brought up, whose language I speak, -and where all our clients and friends are.” - -Old Lichtenbach shook his head, and remained a moment without speaking. -Then, in trenchant tones, he said— - -“My son, we do business in this country, but we have not been born here. -I was in Switzerland, with your mother, in Geneva, when you came into the -world. My birthplace is Hanover, your mother’s Baden. Your name appears -on no official register, and you are free to do what you like. We are -German by birth, French by habit and everyday relations; we belong no -more to one side than to the other. The best thing we can do is to keep -out of the quarrel. What could we gain by fighting? Blows for you, pain -and suffering for both of us. And how would it benefit any one, if Elias -Lichtenbach were killed in battle, and old Moses were left to finish his -life all alone? Does any one even know why all these people are fighting? -Do they even know themselves? They have quarrelled, like tipplers on -leaving the grog-shop after having absorbed more than is good for them. -And now they fly at one another’s throats. What have the Germans done to -you to make you want to fight them? What advantage will you gain from -having defended the French?” - -“But all the young men are off, father. Antoine Graff, whom I have just -met, has received his papers.” - -“He is a fool!” - -“But the son of Rabbi Zacharias is also going.” - -“Great good may he get from it!” - -“To-morrow there will only be left in the town the aged and infirm. I -shall be the only one remaining, and everybody will laugh me to scorn.” - -Old Moses sighed as he said, “Yes, you have your full share of -self-respect; you have been brought up in the schools of France, in which -a great deal is related on the subject of honour. Listen, Elias, and -remember all your life long, all this teaching is sheer nonsense. Honour -consists in paying what one owes, and in meeting one’s bills when they -fall due. Outside of that, believe me, everything is false. Patriotic -legends have been invented to lead men to butchery and slaughter to the -strains of the ‘Marseillaise.’ They consist merely of sounding words, -with which mankind is deceived in the interests of rulers and states. One -ought not to let one’s self be the dupe of such tricks and artifices. -When it is all over, none of the sly rascals who have persuaded the rest -to fight, and carefully kept out of the way themselves, will give you -even a single word of pity for your misfortunes. I have seen the world, -and I know life. Beware of enthusiasm, it is the most false and dangerous -thing on earth.” - -There was a moment’s silence in the dark cellar, where the countenances -of the two men showed red in the flickering flames of the candle. The -dripping of the brandy, as it fell into the tub beneath the barrel tap, -was the only sound audible. The dark, cold air which enveloped Elias -began to calm the ardour, with which he was burning a few minutes before. -The old man continued after a moment’s silence— - -“Besides, I well understand that you do not care to remain alone here -when all your acquaintances are leaving the town. You shall leave, too. -But there are other things for you to do than risk your skin, or try to -endanger the lives of others. Great profits may now be made in food -supplies. In a short time the whole of Alsace and Lorraine will be -invaded. The armies will have to live—the French armies, I mean, for the -Germans, who are the conquerors, will lack nothing. We must make it our -duty to collect provisions on the side of Chalons, towards Paris. You are -not yet of age, you owe nothing to any one; besides, the services you may -render are a thousand times more important than those of these -simpletons, who are intending to shoulder muskets. I will prove my -confidence in you by giving you the means to show what you are worth. -Come here; bring me the light.” - -Moses went to one corner of the cellar. Removing a couple of barrels, he -took up a spade, and, digging a hole in the ground, laid bare an -iron-bound box. Raising it with considerable difficulty, he took from his -pocket a bunch of keys, opened the lock, and showed his son the interior -full of carefully arranged rolls. Tearing away the paper envelope of one -of these rolls, he poured the contents into his son’s hands. They were -twenty-franc gold pieces. - -“Here,” said Moses, “are forty thousand francs in gold. You are strong -enough to carry off the box. Early to-morrow morning you will take the -train for Troyes. Deposit this money with Baradier, the banker, but do -not accept either bank-notes or drafts. Before long gold will be at a -premium, and you will benefit by the exchange. With the capital I now -place at your disposal buy sheep and cattle, and offer to supply the -management with beef and mutton. Owing to the disorder in which the -invasion will throw agriculture, cattle will be sold at a loss of -seventy-five per cent. In the embarrassment in which the army will find -itself for victuals, the contractors will sell again at a profit of cent. -per cent. Do you understand the affair? Then act according to these data. -If you do, by contributing to feed the troops you will be of far more -service than marching in red trousers, under the orders of a stupid -corporal. You, too, will be defending your country. And do not forget to -betake yourself to the drug-store to-night to proclaim it aloud.” - -“But suppose some one asks me in what corps I am to serve, what reply -shall I give?” - -“You will say, ‘I am going to Rhetel. It will be settled there.’” - -“Very well, father.” - -“Take hold of one of the handles of the box, and help me to mount it to -the shop.” - -“Leave it to me, father.” - -Whereupon, seizing in both his arms the heavy box, filled with gold, he -raised it on his stout shoulder, and, preceded by Moses, who held aloft -his candle to light the staircase, he bore away without flinching all his -father’s fortune. - -The double combination conceived by Lichtenbach succeeded, as all simple -ideas do. Within Metz, besieged and filled with troops, stored provisions -were not long in coming to a premium. The salt Moses thought of selling -at a moderate price gave him a great surprise. It proved more valuable -than sugar. The want of salt caused keen suffering to the soldiers, who -had become disgusted with horseflesh. The brandy, largely adulterated, -also sold well. Still the old man’s profits did not recompense him for -lack of news of his heir. Elias’s last letter, delivered on the evening -of the Battle of Borny, announced the young man’s arrival in Paris. He -had left thirty thousand francs in gold with the firm of Baradier, at -Troyes, and was preparing to make for Orleans, as he did not consider -himself in safety in Paris, which would infallibly soon be blockaded. - -He had introduced five thousand sheep into the town. But he did not -consider it necessary to continue business with the Government, which was -too economical and avaricious. After the 14th of August not a word did -the old man receive. During those long, sleepless nights, whilst -listening to the cannon of Saint Julien or of Plappeville thundering away -at long intervals, the old man reflected bitterly that his son was very -young and inexperienced, that he might be robbed, and that the sum he had -entrusted to him represented twenty years’ wanderings along the roads of -Lorraine, buying up all the old iron in the province. Still, he had the -consolation of thinking that Elias was not taking part in the terrible -and bloody battles, doleful and desperate tidings of which came across -the outposts right to the besieged town. He saw his neighbours and -clients pass along with bowed heads, wondering uneasily, and asking one -another— - -“What news? Have you heard anything of your son? Where is he? If only all -our boys are not dead!” - -He at least could reply, “I do not know,” with comparative assurance. But -the others? Old Graff especially was an object of pity. He seemed as -though he would go mad. One evening he had gone out bareheaded into the -streets, when the weather was icy cold, saying to all he met, “If Antoine -does not come back, I shall have been his murderer. Why did I send him to -the war; he was not even of age? He ought to be here by my side. All this -time they have been fighting around Paris. A presentiment comes to me -that my son is dead!” and he wept bitterly. They were obliged to take him -back home by force, whilst little Catherine hid herself behind her -mother’s skirts. Moses congratulated himself for the prudent resolution -he had imposed on Elias, though he did his best to lament with the rest -on the dangers run by this brave and valiant band of youth gone out in -defence of their country. - -One evening, on returning homey the inhabitants of the district around -the cathedral found ambulance carriages in the streets and assistants -carrying wounded men into private houses. No more beds were to be had at -the hospitals. All the untenanted houses had been requisitioned, and now -the military authorities appealed to the patriotism of the inhabitants of -Metz for lodging the victims of the last sortie. A captain of light -infantry belonging to the Guards had just been carried to the house of -Moses, and Graff had taken in a captain of artillery, named M. de -Trémont. As he was bringing back his battery from the hills of Servigny, -the young officer had received a ball in the thigh. - -Anxiety for the health of his patient, the remedies he needed, and other -little attentions, caused a happy diversion to the ever-present anxiety -of Antoine’s father. As he saw this handsome young officer, who had -fought so heroically, and who under such solicitous care, was about to -recover his health under his roof, Graff began to hope once more. He said -to himself, “If my own son is wounded, why should not he also be so -fortunate as Captain de Trémont? He has been brought a long distance, -with his wounded thigh, but he will be quite well again in less than a -couple of months. They do not all die who are wounded in war. I feel sure -Antoine will come back now.” And his spirits returned with renewed hope. -The captain, well cared for by Graff and his wife, was soon able to leave -his bed, and after dinner, at night, he would relate to them his -campaigns in Algeria and Mexico. He explained to his hosts the reasons -why France was coming off the worst in this disastrous campaign, -attributing all the advantages of the Germans to their remarkable -organizing capacity, and the perfection of their artillery. - -“You see, the whole future of war consists in war material. We have to -give way before breech-loading cannons, which have, from the very first, -given proof of a marked superiority over our grooved arms. The moral -effect on our troops has been decisive. The first thing to be done after -the war, will be to investigate a new kind of cannon and explosives of a -terribly destructive power. The question of explosives will be of capital -importance. This ought to be the main end of our efforts in the -artillery.” - -With remarkable clearness he explained all that modern chemistry offered -in cunning combinations, such as would guarantee victory to that -adversary which could most scientifically assure massacre and death. So, -in the evening silence in that large town, besieged by the conquering -enemy, the conquered were already engaged in thinking of preparations for -revenge. - -The siege came to an end, and all the brave soldiers who would have -defended Metz to the death were surrendered alive to the enemy. The -flags, a prey to famine, were carried off to form trophies of victory in -Germany. Paris fell in her turn, then the final armies of France, driven -back across the snow, stained with blood, not so tired of death as -exhausted with the fight, stopped at the country’s call. And on that -immense battlefield, two hundred leagues square, the victors’ shout of -triumph mingled with the despairing cry of the vanquished. By degrees -news arrived, bringing sorrow to some and joy to others. Among the brave -young fellows who had gone forth to fight, so ardent and proud, many -never returned, whilst the numbers of prisoners and wounded will never be -known. - -One morning, Graff, in the dining-room, was taking breakfast with his -family and Captain de Trémont, who was still a convalescent in Metz, when -the outside door was opened, a rapid step was heard on the staircase, and -father, mother, and little Catherine, looked at one another with pale -faces. Not a word was uttered as they listened tremblingly to this quick, -seemingly joyful ascent. They had all been struck by the same thought; he -who comes hastening to us in this way, without asking any questions, who -enters as though he were master of the house, and mounts the well-known -steps four at a time, must be Antoine! Before they had time to give -expression to their thoughts the door opened, and a tall, bearded young -man, so thin and terrible that they did not recognize him, but whose eyes -were instantly flooded with tears, appeared before them. - -“Father! Catherine! Mother!” - -They all rose to their feet, mad with joy, for they could not mistake the -voice, and the long-expected child for whom so many tears had been shed, -was taken in their arms and covered with kisses, amid the cries and sobs, -questions and exclamations, of parents and servants, whilst the Captain -looked on with a smile at this family scene. Finally, Antoine escaped -from their arms, and his first words were the following— - -“Good heavens! How hungry I am!” - -As he spoke he cast hungry looks on the coffee and cake with which the -table was spread. In a trice he was seated there, and served and fed so -well, that he was obliged to beg them to desist. Then explanations began, -and long accounts of events, interspersed with questions as to the fate -of such and such a one. He himself, after fighting at Sedan, had escaped -by Mézières, reached the North, where, with Faidherbe, he had passed the -whole campaign. He had not slept in a bed for three months. But he had -fought at Pont-Noyelles, Bapaume, and Saint Quentin, and had been lucky -enough to come out without a scratch, with the grade of sergeant-major; -disgusted all the same, with the soldier’s profession for the rest of his -life. His father said to him— - -“Well, it is all over now! You shall never begin again. Our unhappy -country is crushed. It will take a score of years to bring things to -their former condition. Ah, my poor Antoine, how ill I have slept the -last six months! I may say, with truth, I have not had a single hour’s -peace of mind since you left. But here you are back again once more, and -all is forgotten.” - -Then the incidents of the campaign would begin again. Captain de Trémont -questioned the young soldier on the details of the campaign in the North, -and Antoine could not dwell too long on the valour of the calm and -indefatigable Faidherbe, the bravery of his companions, and the services -rendered by François Baradier, a volunteer like himself, the son of a -banker of Troyes, who had saved his life, snatching him away from the -hands of the Prussians of Manteufel on the evening of the battle of -Bapaume, within a farm which the shells had set on fire, and where he was -surrounded by a dozen of the enemy. - -“He will come and see you—he promised me so—and you will appreciate such -a fine brave fellow as he is.” - -“Your rescuer? Certainly, he shall be welcome. But let me look at you, my -poor child. Who would have recognized you? You look like a brigand! Had I -met you in the street, I should have been afraid!” - -All day long the Graffs were visited by whole lines of relations and -friends, who had called to congratulate them, to admire the returned -soldier, and to listen to the hundredth account of the episode of the -Battle of Bapaume, whilst tumblers of beer and glasses of kirsch-wasser -were served, bringing to their height the overwrought feelings of Graff, -who was usually sober enough, though, on this occasion, he had completely -lost his bearings. - -The following morning fresh stirrings in the quarter. Elias Lichtenbach -made his appearance in a cab. He looked well and hearty, and, after -greeting his family, immediately entered into conference with the German -authorities. The rumour soon spread that young Lichtenbach had been sent -by the authorities of Bordeaux, and had become a person of importance -during the war. In reality, his mission concerned the re-victualling of -the army on the frontiers of the East. The delegate to the war, who -appreciated the services rendered by Elias, his skill as an intermediary, -and his facility in avoiding difficulties, had sent his agent to the -enemy’s headquarters. He was now full of self-importance, and proudly -looked down upon his compatriots, worn out by privation and hunger, -though furious at defeat. - -After the first few hours of astonishment full fling was given to -curiosity. Where had Elias come from, looking so strong and well? Of all -who had left at the same time as himself, he was the only one who had -returned looking better than when he left. All the rest were pale and -savage-looking. Inquiries were set afoot. At the very first question the -representatives of the authorities replied, with circumspection, that M. -Lichtenbach had rendered eminent service to the country, and that the -delegate for the war considered him with the most benevolent esteem. What -kind of service? It was young Baradier who, on reaching Metz, on a visit -to Antoine and his family, began to throw light on the obscure conduct of -the boasting Elias. - -Sergeant Baradier, ruddy of complexion, full of life and vigour, was as -firm in disposition as Antoine was gentle. His open frankness pleased -everybody, and amongst all these good people he was immediately at his -ease. Twenty-four hours had not passed before he was on very good terms -with Captain de Trémont, and had grouped together all the volunteers of -Metz to a banquet to celebrate their return. Elias had had the calm -audacity to give in his name, like the rest, and had put in an appearance -at the Hotel de l’Ours, to take part in the banquet. But his reception -had been a cold one. All who were present, though in civil dress, as the -German authorities had forbidden the uniform, knew in what regiments they -had served, in what battles they had been wounded. Elias alone lost -himself in vague explanations. He pretended to have been everywhere—with -the armies at Chanzy and Bourbaki, at the camp of Conlie, and near -Garibaldi. This gift of ubiquity astonished everybody. Sergeant Baradier -undertook to give an explanation clearer than all those behind which -Elias had sheltered himself. - -“Are you not the Lichtenbach who did business with the firm of Baradier -at Troyes?” he asked old Moses’ son, point-blank. “Is it not you who -bought sheep in the Ardennes, and drove them through Belgium into -France?” - -“Yes, it is myself,” replied Elias, cautiously. - -“Well! No wonder you have been everywhere during the war, since you were -buying meat from every available spot, on behalf of the management.” - -As Elias became agitated and turned pale, Baradier continued— - -“Oh, I am not reproaching you, I am simply stating a fact. These -gentlemen just now did not appear to understand the part you played. I am -explaining it to them. M. Lichtenbach is a patriot in a fashion. Instead -of fighting he undertook to feed the fighters. If not a glorious -employment, it is, at least a useful one.” - -“But I risked my life like the rest,” exclaimed Elias, red with anger. -“Had the Germans caught me they would have shot me!” - -“It is most extraordinary that they allowed you to move in and out so -freely through their lines, for they did not generally show themselves -over confident. The good reception, too, they gave you must have appeared -very strange.” - -“What do you mean!” exclaimed Elias. - -“Simply what I say; nothing more,” replied Baradier, coldly. “But if you -wish me to explain, I merely remark that remaining out of the reach of -sabre cuts and musket shots, whilst others are fighting, being warm and -comfortable, and deprived of nothing, whilst your companions are dying of -cold and hunger, seeing in the misfortunes of one’s country only an -opportunity of making a fortune, is not what one would call the height of -heroism.” - -“You insult me!” - -“I am ready to give you satisfaction.” - -“Good! you shall hear from me.” - -“Do not cry out so loud; I can easily be found. I am staying with M. -Graff, and am the son of M. Baradier, your banker at Troyes. Now we will -change the subject.” - -Immediately Elias found himself alone. Everybody turned their backs on -him. Flinging on his adversary a look of hatred he left the room. As he -closed the door he heard Graff exclaim— - -“Now that there are none but good patriots left let us drink to the -health of France!” - -The following morning Baradier, accompanied by Captain de Trémont and his -friend Graff, waited for Lichtenbach to put in an appearance. They waited -in vain. The prudent Elias, having avoided wounds during the war, seemed -quite determined not to run the risk of receiving any in times of peace. -Still, as though by chance, M. Baradier at Troyes, received in his house -a supplement of twenty Hessian hussars, to board and lodge, and old Graff -was summoned thrice in a single week to reply to denunciations -representing him as having spoken in insulting terms concerning the -German army. Finally, Baradier received notice to leave Metz within -twelve hours. - -It was quite possible that chance alone might have caused the increase of -the burden laid on the banker of Troyes, and the expulsion of Baradier -might have been the consequence of the banquet, at which more was said -than the circumstances warranted. But old Graff was convinced that his -neighbour Lichtenbach’s son was an agent of the enemy, and that the rogue -had simply turned informer against him. All the same, Elias bowed to him -in the street with the greatest deference, and he always showed himself -very polite to Antoine. - -The quiet and taciturn heir to the firm of Graff avoided, as far as -possible, his former companion. He did not openly break with him, his -nature being opposed to violence of every kind. But very few words were -spoken on either side, and he avoided transacting business with him. The -firm Graff stored up large quantities of wool, which were sold to the -manufacturers of Champagne and the Ardennes. The Baradiers, who had just -bought a large factory at Ars, were great customers of theirs. Elias, who -continued his father’s wholesale business, bought and sold everything in -the nature of a business transaction, and had often made offers to the -Graff for the wool of Germany. The latter had always declined his offers. -Still, in spite of such evident ill-will, Elias was not discouraged, and, -with that tenacity which is one of the virtues of his race, he -periodically visited Graff and his son, in the hope of bringing off a -bargain. - -Thus, after two years spent by Mademoiselle Graff in one of the best -boarding schools in Nancy, Elias, one fine morning, found himself in -front of her in the garden, whilst waiting for Antoine. He was stupefied -and completely dazzled. The child had become a young lady, tall and -graceful, with dark eyes, light hair, and brilliant complexion. He dared -not speak to her, and could only bow as she passed. On returning home he -mentioned the incident to his father, and, with a wealth of biblical -comparison, he depicted the maiden, like Rebecca appearing to Jacob. He -left his father in no doubt that he was passionately in love, and that -if, as the shepherd had served Laban, he should have to serve Graff, he -would submit to it for love of the fair Elise. - -Old Moses remarked that, being a Jew, and the Graffs being Christians, -there was no chance of being accepted by them, without prejudice to the -grievances they had manifested against him ever since the war. Elias -replied that he could abjure his religion, and by his conversion give -great prestige to the Catholic faith, that he had earned sufficient -money, and that a young fellow of twenty-two years of age, who would -place four hundred thousand francs on the table when the contract was -signed was not a suitor to be thrown over so easily. - -Moses warned his son that he was entering upon a perilous negotiation. He -did not dissuade him from changing his religion, if he found any -advantage in such a course, but he warned him that, whether as Christian -or Jew, he would not obtain the hand of Mademoiselle Graff, and that he -would gain nothing but the shame of his apostacy. Elias, however, had a -will of iron; he astonished the archbishop by his determination, -conciliated him by his piety and generosity, and, with remarkable skill, -brought over to his interests all the high Catholic powers. At a time -when German pietism was struggling in the conquered provinces, with a -clergy of purely Protestant tendencies, the conversion of Elias was a -political event. - -Had Elias not been so well known he might have become popular. All the -same, he met a thorough refusal at the hands of the Graff family, and, as -though to intensify the insult offered to him, before six months the -beautiful Elise married the former sergeant, Baradier. At the same time, -a rumour spread abroad that the Graffs were leaving the town. Antoine -followed his step-brother to Paris, and entered with him into the banking -establishment of Baradier senior. - -It was too much for Elias. He lost his sleep, and one day, after meeting -the Graffs, who were being escorted to the station by all their friends, -he returned home, and was taken suddenly ill. Old Moses, terrified, put -his son to bed, summoned the doctor, and learnt that the new convert was -at the point of death. A furious delirium had taken possession of him; -during its course he negotiated fabulous bargains with imaginary buyers -and sellers. A semblance of reason returned only when he poured forth -floods of insults and threats against the Baradiers and the Graffs, -whilst his father calmed him by saying— - -“Yes, Elias, you shall have your revenge on these rascals! You shall ruin -them! You shall crush them under your heel!” - -Then a happy smile came over the patient’s lips; he slept a few hours, -and awoke feeling much better. One may affirm that it was the intensity -of his hatred that kept him from dying. Plans of revenge haunted his -fevered brain, and when the doctor, in astonishment, declared that the -young man was convalescent, the first words Elias uttered were, “All the -better! Had I died, the Baradiers and Graff’s would have been too glad!” - -To tell the truth, the latter paid not the slightest heed to the feelings -of rancour they had so violently aroused. They had assumed the direction -of the firm, had extended the business, and founded additional woollen -factories. Marcel Baradier and his sister Amélie were born. Complete -harmony seemed to exist in this happy family, when Elias Lichtenbach, his -father having died, came to establish himself in Paris. - -A singular metamorphosis had been wrought in him. The first time Baradier -and his rival met at the Bourse the banker did not recognize Lichtenbach. -He saw before him a thin, stooping man, almost bald, with cold, -passionless eyes, hidden behind gold spectacles. His very voice had -changed. M. Lichtenbach spoke little, said only what was absolutely -essential, and remained impassive before the most important news. A -contraction of the jaws alone betrayed his emotion, giving to his -countenance a character of singular ferocity. - -Lichtenbach’s connection with the firm of Baradier and Graff was full of -meaning. He caused them to lose three hundred thousand francs in a single -morning on a contract for wool, concluded at the Bourse of Troyes. Elias -sold wool from Hungary at so low a rate that Baradier and Graff, who had -speculated on a rise, were obliged to sell out rapidly to limit their -risks. It was the first clear flash from the cloud. Henceforward an -enemy, always on the watch, was ever ready to strike the Baradier firm in -its most vulnerable part. Lichtenbach’s evil intentions, though -concealed, were none the less certain. - -When attacked they ingeniously defended themselves, took needful -precautions, and trusted nothing to hazard. Lichtenbach was very powerful -and dangerous. Left a widower, with one daughter, whom he had sent to the -Sacre-Coeur, there to be brought up according to the principles of the -most rigid devotion, Elias was a type of the renegade who had become more -Christian than the Pope himself. - -Still, if Lichtenbach was dreaded, he was received everywhere, and his -influence in society was as secret as it was sure. He rendered priceless -help to ruined families. Instead of aiming his financial batteries -against the established Government, he divided his attempts, placed his -hands on all the syndicates of Europe, and by means of the capital he -collected caused diverse speculations not only to benefit himself, but -all his friends in addition. - -The simplicity of his life was extreme. He lived in a gloomy mansion in -the Rue Barbet-de-Jouy, attended by servants from Lorraine, who spoke -German better than French. He never received visitors, whilst a game of -whist seemed to form his only distraction. It was at his office, right in -front of the Bourse, that he received his clients. Although only -forty-five years of age, he seemed to have lost all interest in the fair -sex, as though all women were an object of terror for him. The little -Duchess de Bernay, who, thanks to speculations conducted by Elias, had -been able to pay her debts, one day said to her friend, the Marchioness -de Premeur— - -“I must find out what Lichtenbach really thinks. After all, the manner in -which he treats us is almost humiliating.” - -For some evenings, in the presence of all her friends, she flirted with -Elias, without succeeding in thawing him. Then suddenly she ceased paying -attention to him. To her companions’ ironical questions she replied, -evasively— - -“I have lost my time. It is no use.” - -But it was noticed that her style of living changed; that she spent large -sums of money, and that, according as she ceased joking with the -financier, she became more and more settled in money matters. Elias, -distant and silent as ever, continued to speculate in the four corners of -the globe, to advise the Prince, manage his journal, and prove to -the-firm of Baradier and Graff, as well as to those in any way connected -with him, that the enmity he was nourishing would be with him as long as -he lived. - - - -CHAPTER III - - -ON reaching the Rue de Provènce, the Minister of War descended from his -brougham with the eagerness of a young man, crossed the court-yard, -entered the offices, and, in loud tones, asked the office boy— - -“Is M. Baradier in?” - -The office-boy instinctively stood at attention, and replied—“Yes, -General; I will announce you at once.” - -The Minister, with nervous steps, strode to and fro in the ante-chamber, -behind whose windows the Havas despatches gave the current rates of all -the Exchanges of Europe. Suddenly a door opened, and a stout man with -ruddy complexion entered the room with outstretched arms. - -“Ah, it is you, General! What trouble you have taken! Just step into this -room.” - -The Minister entered, and as soon as the door was closed he exclaimed— - -“Ah, my poor friends! How sad it all is!” - -“We cannot get over the shock, Baradier and I,” said Graff, rolling -forward an armchair. “Take a seat, General.” - -“Who has told you the news?” - -“Baudoin, who was sleeping here last night, and came in terrified this -afternoon with the dismal tidings. What has happened down there? The -whole circumstances are even more serious than the disaster itself. Graff -and I have been questioning and discussing with one another, without -succeeding in settling the frightful problem.” - -“If only Marcel were here!” moaned Uncle Graff. “He would enlighten us. -He is so well acquainted with Trémont’s life and habits, his weaknesses.” - -“His weaknesses?” asked the Minister. “A woman? Is that what you mean?” - -“Yes, General.” - -“You are taking the paltry side of the matter,” said the old soldier, -firmly. “It is no question of a mere _passade_. The affair before us is -far more than a paltry intrigue. The woman—yes, indeed, she has had a -_rôle_ to play. But she has only been the agent, perhaps unwittingly, of -an attempt, carefully thought out and boldly executed.” - -“With what object?” asked Baradier. “Tell me everything, General. Let us -communicate our suspicions to one another, in an attempt to throw light -on the affair.” - -“Ah! It is evident that the object of the attack was the discoveries made -by Trémont. In this abominable plot, which has ended in the murder of a -man we loved, a remarkable _savant_, I see—but do not let this go beyond -the three of us here present—the hand of the foreigner.” - -There was a moment’s silence. Baradier and Graff looked at one another, -uneasily, and as though undecided. But the impetuous Baradier could not -long keep to himself the idea working in his brain. - -“We, too, General, seem to recognize in the blow which has fallen on our -friend some hateful intention against him and against ourselves at once.” - -“Baradier,” intervened Graff, “you are going too fast and too far! How -can you risk such a charge, on suppositions alone?” - -“Ah! You still hesitate!” exclaimed Baradier. “You are still bound down -by scruples! The deuce! I feel there is treason and infamy in all this! -I—Let me continue! I would swear that Lichtenbach is at the bottom of it -all!” - -“You have no right to speak in that way!” exclaimed Graff, rising to his -feet and quivering with emotion. “How can you insinuate that a man -against whom nothing can be said from either a professional or a moral -point of view, is a party to a crime, simply because he is our enemy? It -is abominable! We must give some place to justice!” - -Baradier, boiling over with excitement, rose in his turn, and began to -walk to and fro, speaking in snatches. - -“For the last two hours, General, we have been disputing in this way, -Graff and myself, and the only reply he can give me is that I am not -just! As though that were a matter of concern when an imperious instinct -cries out to you: ‘There is the culprit. He is not seen; he is well -masked, cunningly concealed, and appears in nothing.’ Probably he will -not be found out, but it is he all the same who has done the deed, -because it was to his interest and hatred combined to do it! No! With his -justice, humanity, and philanthropy, you can have no idea how stupid -Graff is, at times!” - -In spite of the gravity of the situation, the three friends burst into a -loud laugh, and Graff, bending forward his great body, exclaimed— - -“Thanks!” - -The Minister then intervened to give a little order to the debate. - -“Come, Baradier, explain yourself. As your brother-in-law says, vague -presentiments are not sufficient to establish an accusation. Presumptions -lead to investigations, and if guilt results from information obtained, -then one may proceed. Besides, I will observe to you that the authorities -have been notified, an examination has been commenced, and if you have -proofs to furnish—” - -“Impossible!” interrupted Baradier. “To you I have been telling my inmost -thoughts; to an examining magistrate I would not repeat what I have just -said.” - -“Ah!” triumphed Graff; “what did I tell you?” - -“For me to quit my reserve, such discoveries ought to be brought to -light, that the proofs—moral as they are—upon which I lean, should have -material coincidences. But do not think I am retreating. I will make -inquiries, and if I find—” - -“You will not find anything. If your suspicions are true, we have to deal -with those who are stronger than ourselves.” - -“We shall see about that!” - -The General intervened again. - -“Is this Lichtenbach, of whom you speak, the great merchant-prince who is -allied with the clerico-royalist party?” - -“Yes, the same man.” - -“And you imagine him capable of a crime?” - -“I believe he is capable of anything.” - -“Doubtless you know that he is very influential with the Ministry, and -obtains whatever he wishes.” - -“He is very powerful everywhere; his arms stretch in all directions.” - -“But what interest would he have in trying to circumvent Trémont, in the -first place, and, afterwards, in bringing about his disappearance?” - -“Well, General, what do you think of the investigations into explosives? -Lichtenbach is at the head of the French syndicate of mining -exploitations. In Russia, Austria, and Spain, he has considerable -interests. Now, in the composition of a powder, easy to control in -results, capable of being handled without harm, and of very moderate -cost—and all these advantages were claimed by the Trémont powder, as was -seen from the report read by the General, at the Academy of Science, six -months ago—was there not something to tempt the covetousness of business -men, ever on the look-out for progressive and remunerative processes? -Trémont had received splendid offers, but had always refused even the -initial overtures. Then he explained to Graff and myself his intention of -promoting a company, the working of which should be exclusively French. -It was a point of honour with him that his own country should profit from -his discovery.” - -“The fine fellow! Just like him!” - -“He was well aware that he had found an opportunity of making a fortune, -but he did not wish foreign money to have a hand in it. Besides, at the -same time, he had almost completed his investigations into a new -war-powder. He would not throw the commercial affair on the market until -he had given his new explosive to the Government. He said to us: ‘Both -powders at once. The one that will make me rich, and the one that will -make us conquerors. In this way I shall be pardoned for the benefits I -shall reap from the first, in favour of the prestige the second will give -our Army.’” - -“Yes; secret experiments had already taken place with his war-powder. -Never had my colleagues or myself seen such destructive effects. Nothing -could have resisted an artillery firing projectiles charged with this -powder! And the secret has vanished in smoke! It is a great misfortune -for France!” - -A strange smile passed over Graff’s mouth, and, with a gesture of -dissent, he said— - -“Ah! Who knows?” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Yes, it is not absolutely certain that the secret is lost! Perhaps some -one possesses the General’s formulæ in duplicate.” - -“Who?” exclaimed the Minister. - -Graff rubbed his hands together and replied— - -“My nephew!” - -“Marcel? Has he said anything to you?” - -“Yes. A week ago.” - -At these words Baradier turned pale. Turning to his brother-in-law, with -a look of anguish, he exclaimed— - -“Never let the slightest suspicion of this be known! Repeat to no one -what you have just said! They have killed Trémont! Do you want them to -kill my son?” - -“Ah! Baradier, have you no courage left?” asked the General. “You are -afraid of your shadow now. Do you imagine that, if your hypothesis be -true, and I am much inclined to share it, those who have dealt the blow -will be disposed to recommence without delay? We have time to act, and we -are warned. Why the deuce should we be afraid? Just now, the authors of -the crime have carefully gone to earth, for they can have no doubt that -the police are on the look-out for them. Do not be alarmed, and let us -speak frankly.” - -“My dear General, if the possession of the secret of the powders has been -fatal to Trémont, whom they thought simply of robbing, what is not to be -feared for Marcel Baradier, if this terrible intrigue is conducted by the -implacable enemy of all his family? They would have spared Trémont’s -life, could they have obtained possession of his formulæ. Marcel can -expect no pity, for it is Graff and myself—it is his own mother whom they -will reach in striking him.” - -“We shall be there to defend him,” said Graff, in trembling tones. “I am -not an evil-disposed person, but still I feel myself capable of the -utmost ferocity in preventing any harm befalling my nephew!” - -“You understand,” said the General, “that if the police have no clue to -your suspicions, I will take it upon myself to inform them.” - -“It would be wiser not to do anything of the sort,” interrupted Baradier. -“If, as we imagine, it is Lichtenbach who has directed the frightful -plot, you may be certain beforehand that it will not be brought to light. -Both he and his accomplices are free from all responsibility. The woman -who appears to have acted as a decoy will have disappeared. The man whose -arm has been torn off will be carefully attended to in some dark spot, -perhaps abroad, and the coachman who accompanied the accomplices to -Vanves is a trusted member of the band. Nothing will be discovered, you -may be sure. The examining magistrate may prepare at once to shelve the -whole affair.” - -“I think as you do. But that is no reason for not making investigations. -In the first place, if Lichtenbach is watched, perhaps some proof will be -discovered. But all that concerns the police. We will change the subject. -General de Trémont has left an only daughter, without support.” - -“I beg your pardon, General. We will console her and pay her all possible -attention.” - -“Yes, my dear friend, I know the poor child may rely upon you. But she is -without fortune. Trémont left very little property; his pension was -almost all that he had.” - -“Reassure yourself. She shall never lack anything. This very morning my -wife went to her to the Sacre-Coeur, and brought her here. She shall stay -with my daughter and be treated as though she bore my own name.” - -“All the same, I will obtain for her a pension from the Ministry.” - -“Certainly, if you wish; but it will simply be to ease your conscience. -She will have every want fulfilled. I take charge of her as though she -were my child.” - -“Can I not speak to her? Is she in a fit state to receive me?” - -“She is in great grief, but very calm. Graff will tell her that you are -here.” - -The uncle left the room. Baradier drew his chair nearer the General’s, as -though afraid the walls would hear what he was about to say. - -“Between you and myself—for Graff is too sentimental—is this a matter -that concerns other countries?” - -“How can we tell, so long as we have not laid our hands on the culprits? -Even if they are found, how can we throw light on that question? We can -never hope for absolute certainty in this respect, as foreign agents -always keep themselves aloof from direct responsibility, and disclaim all -connection with abroad, if they are caught. We shall never get beyond -probabilities. Our artillery material and explosives are at present, and -will long remain, a matter of anxiety to rival Powers. Our armaments are -well known, though our projectiles are continually being perfected. It is -certain that the artillery which made use of the Trémont powder would -have had an overwhelming advantage. Hence the attempt against the -inventor, evidently.” - -“So you attach a great value to the formulæ discovered by the General?” - -“A very great value. Its possession would render our country an immense -service.” - -Baradier became serious. Bowing his head, he continued resolutely— - -“I am a good patriot, General. I fought for France to the very last hour -of the war. All the Baradier family, Lorraines from Metz, went into -voluntary exile so as not to live in the midst of our conquerors. If my -country needed my life, I would not hesitate to give it up. I will do -more, I will risk my son’s life. If Marcel knows Trémont’s secret, I give -you my oath you shall have the powder.” - -A flash of joy shone in the old soldier’s eyes. Stretching out his hand -to Baradier, he exclaimed, in trembling tones—“Thank you. You are a brave -soldier.” - -At this moment the door opened, and the General gave a sonorous hum, and -regained his composure. Madame Baradier and Mademoiselle de Trémont -entered the room, followed by Graff. Still slender and graceful, Madame -Baradier now showed a few silver threads among the beautiful blonde -tresses of her youth. But her frank look and smiling lips revealed the -young girl beloved of Elias Lichtenbach. Mademoiselle de Trémont, wearing -a blue convent dress, slender and dark-complexioned, showed in her -countenance, overwhelmed with grief, the charming grace of her sixteen -years. Without the slightest awkwardness or hesitation, she walked -straight to her father’s friend. At the first words the old soldier -addressed her, however, her eyes filled with tears, which silently flowed -unheeded down her cheeks. She listened with eager satisfaction to the -consoling words of praise, consecrated to him who had just disappeared, -and the silent nod she gave from time to time seemed an acquiescence of -resignation and grief, in the bitterness of life now beginning for her. - -Alas! she had scarcely known her father. A widower very soon after the -birth of his daughter, he had been obliged to entrust her to the care of -pious and devout women. She had scarcely ever tasted of the delights of -home. Geneviève often tried, in vain, to recall the sound of her mother’s -voice. How sad it was! She had never felt on her heart the caressing -warmth of an ever-present affection. Isolation, in the midst of -strangers, kind and benevolent though they were, had been her lot, right -to the day on which death had broken the slender bond which still -attached her to her father. And now what a sorrowful end, in this -catastrophe, at once stupefying and terrible, which left her an orphan, -and filled her mind with thoughts of violence and massacre! - -She had not even the supreme consolation of thinking that the one she -mourned had had a calm and peaceful death. As a soldier, he had not -fallen on the field of battle; as a _savant_, he had not succumbed, a -victim to his investigations. In a base and cowardly fashion, he had been -assassinated by bandits. She heard the Minister telling her that she -might rely on his protection. Stammering out her thanks, and blinded by -tears, she left the room with Madame Baradier, almost heart-broken at -being made to understand more vividly, from the expressions of condolence -addressed to her, the extent of her loss. - -The Minister, on leaving the room in his turn, found General de Trémont’s -servant awaiting him in the antechamber. He looked with interest at the -latter’s intelligent and energetic countenance. - -“Well, my poor Baudoin, this is a great loss for us.” - -“It is a great crime, General.” - -“They had sent you away, my good fellow; but for that, all this would not -have happened.” - -“Ah, General, it is always the fair sex who ruin everything!” - -“Come, come! Don’t say anything more on the subject.” - -“Pardon me, General. I do not mention it from lack of deference for my -poor master, but if attempts are not made to find the scoundrel, the -woman who controlled the whole affair, nothing will be discovered, and my -master will remain unavenged.” - -“Do you know the woman?” - -“Ah! If I had known her, I, too, should have been dead!” - -Baradier, Graff, and the Minister looked at one another. What Baudoin had -just said was so clear a confirmation of Baradier’s fears, concerning his -son, that the threatening power of the mysterious woman instantly forced -itself on the Minister’s thoughts. He was already so well acquainted -personally, and through his predecessors, with these fortune-hunters, -always in quest of a speculation or intrigue to work out, or a secret to -be stolen, from the sellers of crosses of honour, to searchers of -official desks. He could have named several of them. And the experience -of the past: all these acts of imprudence and folly, were there to prove -the truth of what the simple and devoted Baudoin now said. The Minister -continued— - -“I heard her voice, General, last night, and I will warrant that if she -uttered a word in my hearing, I should recognize it.” - -“Ah, a voice, my poor fellow, a voice heard for a single moment, uttering -a few sentences only. How could one dare to accuse another on such feeble -evidence? Do you know, there are voices so similar that one may be -mistaken, even when one is familiar with their owners. If you have no -other proof to give, my poor Baudoin, you had better say nothing at all.” - -“We shall see, General.” - -“Ah, you are obstinate!” - -“A little, General.” - -“Well, well! What can I do for you? You have been a good soldier, and a -devoted servant. I imagine your master would have recommended me not to -abandon you. Would you like to enter the office of the Ministry?” - -“Thank you, General. M. Baradier has offered to take me into his office, -and I have accepted. But if you would be good enough to—” - -“Well, speak!” - -“Could you please tell me the name of the Ministerial agent who has been -conducting the investigations? He seemed to me a very intelligent man, -and I should like to speak to him.” - -“His name is Laforêt. But keep the name to yourself. I have sufficient -confidence to mention it to you; still, it must not be generally known.” - -“You may rely on my discretion, General. I will say nothing.” - -“Well, good day!” - -The Minister shook hands with Baradier and Graff, and rode away in his -brougham. When the two partners returned into the hall, Baudoin, to whom -they wished to speak, had disappeared. - -As soon as he learnt the agent’s name, Baudoin had taken his hat, and, -leaving the hotel by the servants’ exit, had made his way to the -Ministry. On reaching the entrance he made inquiries. Being an old -soldier, he knew how to speak to soldiers. The orderly he met in the hall -pointed out to him the building he wished to enter, right at the end of -the court, staircase C. There the porter had stopped him; no one could -enter without authorization. He had none; he must accordingly ask for -one. - -“I simply wanted to speak to M. Laforêt.” - -The porter looked at him with suspicion. Then he said— - -“M. Laforêt? You will not find him at the Ministry, call at his private -residence.” - -“Where is that?” - -“You must inquire.” - -It was quite evident there was nothing to be gained here. Bowing, he -thanked the porter and took his departure. In the Rue Saint-Dominique, at -the corner of the Rue Martignac, he noticed a small café. He entered with -the object of making inquiries, as the porter had recommended. Four -customers, under the complaisant eye of the proprietor, were playing at -cards. At the far end was a room, containing a billiard-table. The -players could be seen, though indistinctly, each time they passed before -the door. There appeared to be spectators present. Probably a pool was -being contested. - -“A bock. Is there a billiard academy here?” - -“Ah, sir, we have some very fine players. Some of these gentlemen from -the Ministry come every evening. M. Trousset, the head clerk, though an -amateur, would be a match for the best players in Paris, and even from -abroad!” - -“Indeed! And may one watch the game?” - -“If you wish, sir, I will carry the beer into the next room.” - -Baudoin had already entered the billiard-room, which contained two -tables. Taking a seat, he looked on. One of the players was a stout, -jovial fellow, who accompanied his cannons with stale jokes. The other, a -tall, thin dark-complexioned man, was Laforêt himself. Baudoin gave -himself a slap on the thigh, took out a cigarette, and exclaimed to the -astonishment of his neighbour— - -“I am lucky this time!” - -As he was looked at inquisitively, he said no more, but lit a cigarette, -and began to sip his beer. The stout player said to his opponent, with a -wink— - -“The balls are in the corner; now for the final!” - -Whereupon he made a series of seventeen cannons, and missed the -eighteenth. Laforêt, without being disconcerted, took up the cue, but -only scored five points. His adversary exclaimed— - -“If I score fifteen now, I win the set.” - -He won without the slightest effort, turned down his shirt-sleeves, put -on his coat, and, holding out his hand to his opponent, said: - -“No ill feeling?” - -“None at all. You have played very well, M. Moussin,” said Laforêt. “My -revenge next time.” - -“Whenever you like.” - -Laforêt, with perfect indifference, approached Baudoin, exclaiming in -loud tones— - -“Waiter, a bitter.” - -Then, turning towards the General’s servant, he asked— - -“Are you waiting for me?” - -“Yes; so you recognized me?” - -“That is my business. Anything fresh?” - -“No; all the same, I wish to speak to you.” - -“Good!” - -The few loiterers gradually filed out into the other room, which was -lighter and more pleasant in appearance. A few players alone remained, -and Baudoin and Laforêt found themselves isolated. - -“You may speak here, no one will pay any attention to us.” - -“Well! This morning, when I saw you, in the presence of all the others, I -had an impression that you were a man to be relied upon, and that, in -case it were necessary to appeal to any one concerning something -difficult or dangerous, one would run no risk with you of being left in -the lurch. Am I mistaken?” - -“No.” - -“If I think rightly, you do not work under the same conditions as the -agents in the service of the Prefecture, who are entirely allied to the -Administration. You are, I suppose, a kind of volunteer of the police, at -liberty to give information as you please, consequently free as regards -initiative.” - -Laforêt interrupted him. - -“If you wish to speak to me on the Vanves affair, I must stop you at -once. My principal ordered me not to take any further steps in the matter -for the moment. The Public Prosecutor is in possession of the -information. Every one to his own department. We shall not take up the -matter again, provisionally.” - -“But if I simply asked you to enlighten me on certain points?” - -“One can always give advice.” - -“Good! The police are about to make a search for the authors of the crime -of which my master has been the victim. But I, also, should like to -investigate.” - -“There is no one to prevent you.” - -“Ah! One must know how to go about it. One does not become a detective by -instinct. Which end shall I begin with, to unravel the skein?” - -“Come! Had your master any family?” - -“A daughter.” - -“She had no interest in wishing to be rid of him?” - -“Not the slightest.” - -“Had he any visitors?” - -“Very few; he was so distrustful! The woman who called on him only came -mysteriously by night, on which occasions he always sent me away.” - -“That is the same woman who came last night?” - -“Yes.” - -“Do you know if M. de Trémont had any enemies?” - -“No.” - -“Was there any one who had reasons for injuring him?” - -“In a certain sense, yes.” - -“Why do you suspect this?” - -“I judge from personal observation, confirmed by the conviction of one of -my master’s friends.” - -“A man who can offer good guarantees?” - -“Perfect.” - -“Very good! Search must be made in that direction.” - -“If only you knew what difficulties I am likely to meet with.” - -“That is the most interesting part about it. It is not very clever to -arrest a coal-dealer who has been thrashing his wife in his shop, or a -hair-dresser who has cut his lady’s throat with one of his razors! What -excites one is the struggle and pursuit, the necessity of employing -trickery and invention. We are men of imagination, and novelists often -make us laugh by the poverty of their combinations.” - -“That is because you like your profession. It is not so with me; I am not -inquisitive. Were I not mad with grief at seeing my master, whom I was so -fond of basely murdered, I should take good care not to meddle with other -people’s affairs. But vengeance seems a kind of duty my master would -impose on me, could he do so. Had he had time to think, the moment he was -struck, he must have said to himself: ‘Ah! If only Baudoin were here he -would defend me with his last breath.’ You see, I must find his -murderers. I shall have no rest till I have succeeded in this pursuit.” - -Laforêt had become thoughtful. After a moment’s hesitation, he said— - -“You are a brave fellow. But you do not possess the qualities necessary -for the unravelling of an affair like this one. You will spoil everything -by putting on their guard the very people you suspect. Do not stir; just -wait. Patience is the first duty of a detective. Time is a precious -auxiliary. At first, a criminal is very cautious; he takes every -precaution. By degrees, as his feeling of security increases, his -prudence lessens, he trusts himself out of his lair once more, and it is -then that there is a good chance of catching him. Instead of undertaking -a campaign, remain inactive. If you have to deal with powerful and -determined men, be sure they will keep a watch on you, in proportion to -their unwillingness to be caught. You will do more for the success of -your side by giving them to believe that you do not suspect them, than by -plotting against them, without knowing how to out-trick them. Go back -home, warn those who, like you, wish to avenge the General, and wait and -see the trend of events. Be sure something will happen which will put you -on their track. Then go ahead boldly. If ever you need me, come here -about five o’clock. You will find me regularly at this hour. My principal -may be disposed to allow me to co-operate with you.” - -Baudoin rose from his seat. - -“Very good. I will follow your advice. If you have anything to tell me, -send to Messieurs Baradier and Graff.” - -“The bankers of the Rue de Provènce?” - -“Yes.” - -“Strange! My principal has just gone to see them, on leaving the -Ministry. I heard it from the coachman. Good! Everything will turn out -for the best, when the right moment comes. _Au revoir_!” - -The two men shook hands, and Baudoin returned home. - -Marcel, summoned by wire, had just returned from Ars. He was closeted -with his father and uncle. Walking to and fro about the room, he gave -brief replies to the questions asked him. Tall and slender, of fair -complexion, with long moustache, and blue eyes, he offered a perfect -pattern of the Lorraine type, in its full purity and strength. He was a -very fine-looking young fellow, and his Uncle Graff watched him with a -glow of pride and satisfaction. - -“Well, then, what did Trémont tell you, the last time you saw him?” - -“From a scientific point of view, we spoke of nothing but my -investigations on the subject of aniline.” - -“Nothing concerning his powders?” - -“He had already told me the results he had reached. I shared his opinion -that the main difficulty was solved. In the composition of explosives -there was nothing more to do besides introducing a few details of -manipulation.” - -“And you knew his formulæ?” - -“I know every one of them.” - -“You could prepare them?” - -“Without the slightest difficulty.” - -“That is what I was afraid of,” exclaimed Baradier, sorrowfully. - -“What! Afraid of? But it is very lucky for us all. For Geneviève, for -whom a fortune is assured; for the Army, which will possess the Trémont -powder; and for the General’s memory, by reason of the glory attaching to -so important a discovery.” - -“Well, Marcel, I beg of you,” said Baradier, in trembling tones, “for the -sake of us all, for the time being, not to breathe a word to any one -concerning what you have just revealed to us. It is a matter of life or -death. So long as those who have killed Trémont remain at large, and -unpunished, there will be no safety for those who might be suspected of -being in possession of his scientific secret. It was to rob him of this -that the blow fell. In Heaven’s name, be very careful not to let it be -known that you have been taken into the confidence of our friend.” - -“Do not be uneasy,” said the young man, with a smile. “No one in the -world knows, except my uncle and yourself. I feel no inclination to -proclaim it on the housetops. But I cannot refuse to refrain from -profiting by it, when the right time comes, even though there may be -risks to run.” - -“Nor do we. But let us continue our investigations. Trémont was very free -with you. He spoke to you of his private life. He told you of his -adventures in the early days of his military career.” - -“Poor man! That was his only weakness. His heart remained as young as -ever. His imagination was very inflammable, and he gave way to it with -unparalleled facility. I was often obliged to stop him.” - -“Did he mention nothing that had happened recently?” - -“No; he appeared preoccupied and less expansive than usual. Probably he -had been recommended to be very discreet, and his promise had been given. -I must say that his passion for the fair sex rather disgusted me, and I -gave no encouragement to tales which appeared to me unworthy of our -friend’s noble mind. Latterly, therefore, finding him reserved and quiet, -I did not encourage him to speak. I preferred him to say nothing on the -subject.” - -“What a pity! Just the time when his explanations would have been so -useful.” - -“It is always so!” - -“Had he made no fresh male acquaintances? Was there no name you could -catch?” - -“He spoke to me of no one except a foreign savant, with whom he had -struck up a friendship, and who seems to have been an extraordinary man. -He suspected him of being a nihilist, and that worried him. But he spoke -of him with the utmost admiration.” - -“Was he a Russian?” - -“I do not know. His name was Hans.” - -“Hans!” exclaimed Baradier. “That was the name of the man whose arm was -torn off! It is the name on the ring worn by the man who caused the -explosion of the house at Vanves. This is the first flash of light.” - -“So the General was acquainted with this Hans? Still, Hans is a German -name!” - -“Only a German Christian name. As you are aware, there are several -Russians of German origin. If the Hans in question is the author of that -catastrophe, the end he aimed at by obtaining access to the General might -well be the possession of the formulæ of the explosive found by him. But -then, how had he become acquainted with the discoveries the General kept -strictly secret?” - -Graff, who had not yet spoken, but had been listening in a reverie to the -observations exchanged between his brother-in-law and his nephew, raised -his hand, and slowly began, as though following the slender thread of a -still fugitive idea— - -“You are getting lost. The motives of the instigators of this crime—for, -certainly, there are several of them—are of a much higher order than you -imagine. You are looking for robbers trying to obtain possession of some -exceedingly fruitful discovery, or of anarchists on the scent of some -powerful means of extermination. All this is very vulgar and commonplace. -You have to deal with criminals of a higher stamp. The care they took to -rob Trémont after killing him prove that his murderers wished to throw -one off the scent. When one has a house to pillage, he does not linger -behind to steal a watch or a pocket-book. The mysterious proceedings of -those who effected the _coup_ are those of political conspirators, and -the thing that gives the whole plot its special character is the presence -of a woman. Every undertaking of interest to foreign politics, for the -past century, has been carried on by women. From my point of view, this -is in a large measure what must have taken place. One or several European -States have been acquainted with the investigations carried on by -Trémont. His communications to the Institute may have sufficed to give -the alarm. Immediately, means have been sought for becoming intimate with -him, or obtaining his confidence. Our friend’s nature has been studied, -and a young woman, clever and beautiful, has been fastened on him, soon -to serve as intermediary between the General and Hans. The latter is no -Russian, but probably some native of Baden. The woman is a spy in the -service of our enemies. The man, introduced into the premises by the -woman, failed in his attempts to obtain, by trickery, Trémont’s secrets; -accordingly he had recourse to violence. Be certain the whole _coup_ was -entered upon for interests far higher than you imagine. You see a -Lichtenbach in the affair, and imagine that it is in his interests that -Hans and the mysterious woman have been playing each a perilous game. You -attach to him more importance than he deserves. You must seek higher, or -rather not seek at all, for nothing will be found now.” - -“I cannot deny,” replied Baradier, “that Graff’s explanation possesses -some semblance of likelihood. Graff is a man of imagination, who often -sees things that do not exist. Still, in the present circumstances, he -would be a bold man who would say that he was mistaken. Perhaps his -supposition and mine both contain part of the truth. What cannot be -doubted is that the authors of this audacious plot are persons who will -shrink before nothing. Accordingly we must be prudent, and not appear to -suspect them, living in just our usual manner. Apparently we must abstain -from all participation in the work of justice. If the police succeed we -shall be satisfied, without having been involved in the affair. If they -find nothing, as is very likely, then our turn will come. In my opinion -clever and cool-headed criminals it is almost impossible to run to -ground. It is only by their imprudence that they betray themselves. It is -when they begin to be no longer on their guard that there is a chance of -finding some clue to their guilt. So, after all, the most prudent and -skilful plan will be to wait. Marcel will return to Ars—” - -“Not until I have seen Geneviève.” - -“Of course, you will dine and sleep here, and take the train to-morrow -morning. Your mother and uncle will not be sorry to see a little of you.” - -“And my father?” asked the young man, smiling. - -“And your father. Now come along with me to see your mother. Graff, you -are staying in the office?” - -“For a few minutes. Then I return home, but will be back in time for -dinner.” - -Proceeding along an inner staircase, father and son reached the private -rooms, and were astonished to find in the hall a tall footman waiting -there. - -“Your mother has visitors,” said Baradier. “How has that come about; -to-day is not her reception day?” - -They entered Madame Baradier’s small salon. There she sat, pensive, near -the window, her needlework lying idly in her lap. - -“What! You here?” said Baradier. “I thought you were receiving.” - -“The visit is not for me.” - -“What is the meaning of this? No one can have called for Amélie. Then it -must be for Mademoiselle de Trémont?” - -“You are right,” said Madame Baradier. - -“What is the matter with you?” asked the banker. “There is something -extraordinary going on. Explain.” - -“It is, indeed, very extraordinary. It is a schoolmate of Geneviève, who -has come especially from the convent to assure her of her sympathy and -affection; a trusted servant came with her, since her father could not -come in person.” - -Baradier’s face turned crimson, as he asked with a frown— - -“Then it is—?” - -His wife did not give him time to continue. They understood one another -at a glance. - -“Yes, my dear, it is Mademoiselle Lichtenbach.” - -A silence fell throughout the room. Marcel had gone straight to his -mother, to embrace her. He now stood looking at his father, who, standing -before the mantelpiece, was endeavouring to fathom the meaning of this -unexpected visit. - -“What is she like?” asked Marcel. - -“I scarcely looked at her, I must confess, my child. When her name was -announced I was very much astonished. Amélie and Geneviève were with me -at the time. I left them in the salon as soon as Mademoiselle Lichtenbach -entered. She appeared to me to be tall, and rather good looking. It was, -however, her voice, a sweet, charming voice, which impressed me most -favourably.” - -“It is different from her father’s, then,” growled Baradier. - -“And how long has she been here?” - -“Half an hour, at least.” - -“And my sister is with them?” - -“She could not help staying with them, otherwise it would have been a -show of hostility quite out of place. Parents’ enmities, I hope, form no -necessary part of children’s inheritances.” - -“Mother, what you are now saying is contrary to all poetical tradition. -Look at Romeo and Juliet. What would become of literature were there no -hereditary enmities? They form part and parcel of romantic -stock-in-trade. The deuce! We must not diminish it, as it is becoming -less and less quite fast enough!” - -Baradier was not listening to his son; he remained still plunged in his -own reflections. At last he murmured— - -“What has she come for? Why has Lichtenbach permitted her to come?” - -“Shall I go and ask her?” asked Marcel. - -“Try to be serious, Marcel,” exclaimed the banker. “This is no matter for -jest.” - -“Oh, I know that well enough. I wonder what it is that upsets you so -much? Here is my mother as pale as death, and yourself in a fever-heat, -and all because a young girl has come to sympathize with her school-mate! -There is something extraordinary going on.” - -Baradier glanced sideways at his son, and replied in a tone of -irritation— - -“Don’t be such a fool, Marcel. You are incapable of understanding!” - -Marcel bowed, in mock humility. - -“Thanks! What do I owe you for that?” - -But Baradier had no time to give way to his increasing irritation. The -door of the salon opened, and Amélie appeared on the threshold. - -“Mamma, Mademoiselle Lichtenbach would like to say good-bye to you before -leaving.” - -“She seems to be very well bred,” said Marcel, in low tones. “Are you -going, mother? I will accompany you. I should like to see what she looks -like.” - -It was in vain that Baradier shouted to his son— - -“Marcel, stay here; I forbid you!” - -Already the young man, with a laugh, had slipped behind his mother into -the salon. - -“The young rascal will never have any common sense,” moaned Baradier. And -he sat down in the seat his wife had just left, vaguely listening to the -sound of voices, which now reached him. - -At the very first glance Marcel Baradier noticed that Mademoiselle -Lichtenbach was of a very elegant figure, with a countenance of great -gentleness. On further examination he did not find her pretty. Her -features were irregular, but her face was lit up by eyes of limpid blue, -radiant with frankness and amiability. She was standing there, an upright -and slender form, in her sombre school-dress, with the blue ribbon on her -breast. On Madame Baradier introducing Marcel to her she made a -respectful bow, and said in delightful accents— - -“I could not take my leave, madame, without thanking you for your kind -welcome. Mademoiselle de Trémont and myself are very fond of one another. -For a year we have been close companions, and I sympathize with her -present suffering, as though her loss were also mine. It is a great -relief to me, now that we are obliged to separate, to know that she will -be with one who loves her. I hope you will permit her to speak to you of -me, so that she may not forget me too soon, and, perhaps, instil into -your mind a little of the sympathy her heart feels for me.” - -Marcel was still under the charm of the voice that uttered these gentle -words, when those clear, luminous eyes fell on him. He returned the look -with an inquisitive and, perhaps, rather bold glance, for she immediately -turned aside. At the same time a slight blush, as though accompanied with -a shudder, passed over her smiling face, which suddenly became serious. - -“I must thank you, mademoiselle, for the sentiments you express regarding -our dear Geneviève. For ourselves,” continued Madame Baradier, “rest -assured we shall not endeavour to influence her in her affections.” - -Mademoiselle Lichtenbach bowed, gave a graceful nod to Amélie, and, on -passing in front of Marcel, heard the latter say to her, in troubled -tones— - -“Permit me, mademoiselle, to show you the way.” - -Opening the door of the salon, and, taking the mantle the young girl had -left in the hall, he placed it over her shoulders. Then, walking by her -side, his mother and sister looking on in stupefaction, he descended the -steps, followed by the footman. On reaching the bottom he said, with a -charm full of grace— - -“Mademoiselle de Trémont’s departure will doubtless make your stay at the -convent seem rather sad to you now, mademoiselle?” - -“Yes. I hope Geneviève will not forget me, but come and see me.” - -“After all, probably you will not stay long yourself at the Sacre-Coeur.” - -“I was like Mademoiselle de Trémont, alone with my father. Geneviève will -find a mother in Madame Baradier, whilst I—” - -She left the sentence unfinished. Marcel, however, well understood the -sadness of her meaning—“I shall remain abandoned, as I have been all my -life. My youthful years will pass away behind the sad walls of a convent, -under the cold, methodical surveillance of nuns, most excellent persons, -but incapable of giving me that warmth of affection I need to be happy. -My friend is leaving me, and all the sweetness of my life is past.” - -She looked so melancholy and resigned that Marcel was moved with pity at -her grief. They had now reached the brougham, the door of which was held -open by the footman. - -“No, mademoiselle,” said Marcel. “Rest assured Geneviève de Trémont will -not forget you.” - -He fastened his eyes on Mademoiselle Lichtenbach’s face, which now, in -feature, seemed delicate and charming in its modest grace; then, bowing, -he added, in lower tones— - -“I do not think you are one of those whose fate it is to be forgotten.” - -Mademoiselle Lichtenbach smiled and bowed. Then, entering the carriage, -she said to the servant— - -“Drive back home.” - -Not another word was exchanged, whilst the footman climbed to his seat, -and the coachman put the reins in order. Marcel, with head uncovered, -stood there on the footpath in the Rue de Provènce, looking through the -window of the brougham at this young girl, who appeared so simple and -attractive to him, though he had never seen her until an hour before. -Mademoiselle Lichtenbach sat there with bowed head, while a smile played -on her lips. The carriage started, and the charm was broken. - -On returning to the house Marcel reflected: If the father is a rogue, the -daughter, at any rate, is a very charming person. After all, she is not -responsible for her father’s misdeeds. But all this has nothing to do -with me. In all probability we shall never meet again, so she may be what -she likes. All the same, he could not get over the idea that Mademoiselle -Lichtenbach, daughter of the declared enemy of Baradier and Graff, was a -very striking character. - -“Well,” said his father, who was awaiting his return, “you show yourself -very polite. You could not be more gallant to a princess.” - -“Probably not,” said the young man, calmly. - -“Will you have the goodness to explain why you show yourself so obliging -towards the daughter of our enemy?” - -“For the sole reason that she is the daughter of our enemy.” - -“It may be very chivalrous on your part, but to me it appears stupid.” - -“Do you intend to introduce the fair sex into your quarrels?” - -“I should like to see how Lichtenbach would treat your mother and sister -if ever they fell into his power!” - -“Let us hope we may never experience it. Still, Baradier and Graff are -not obliged to act like Lichtenbach. Ask my uncle what he thinks about -it.” - -“Oh, your uncle is too sentimental. For the last hour I have been trying -to find motives for this intervention. Evidently Lichtenbach wishes to -throw us off the scent by this demonstration of affection for -Mademoiselle de Trémont, but it is this very thing which awakens my -suspicions. Do you know what Barentin, of the Supreme Court, told me -lately? Not twenty-five per cent. of the criminals are ever discovered, -and then only by their own folly. The rich calculate, and are almost sure -of impunity.” - -“My dear father, if the whole might of the law cannot seize a murderer, -how can you expect Baradier and Graff to succeed? We must be sensible, -and not attempt impossibilities. We will do the best we can—you by -protecting Mademoiselle de Trémont, and I by assuring her the fortune her -father promised her. For the rest let us trust in Providence.” - -“In Providence!” growled Baradier. “Trust rather in the devil! Attend to -what I tell you, Marcel. Your mother, yourself, and myself are all -involved in the quarrel between Lichtenbach and your uncle. Lichtenbach -is one of those revengeful _men_ who strike both their enemies and their -enemies’ offspring. Trémont has met his fate; it will be our turn next.” - -“No, father, our turn will never come,” said Marcel, energetically. “At -the very first threat, the faintest attempt, I will go to Lichtenbach -myself, and settle all our accounts with him at a single time. That I -swear!” - -Graff, clean shaven and elegantly attired, now entered the office. -Baradier signed to his son to say no more, and all three mounted to the -salon to join the ladies. - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -IN his study, soberly furnished, Elias Lichtenbach, seated in front of a -large Louis Fourteenth bureau, was speaking in low tones, as though -afraid of being heard, to a priest, lolling at ease in an enormous -armchair. By the light of the setting sun, the sharp, bony face of the -banker, with his _keen_ eyes and thin, well-shaven lips, could be faintly -distinguished. He was no longer the stout healthy-looking Elias of former -days. The cares of life had withered the flower of youth on his cheeks, -and wrinkled the once careless brow. The jaws were still pronounced, but -hard and thin, like those of a powerful and ferocious man-eater. The -hairy hands, long and grasping as they lay there on the desk, revealed -unusual love of wealth. A black skull-cap covered Lichtenbach’s bald -forehead. His visitor was a young and elegant ecclesiastic of graceful -and intelligent mien. He spoke with a southern accent, which gave his -voice a kind of hilarity in sound. - -“It will be a very profitable undertaking. The property we have in view -has no value whatever at present, nothing but waste land and marshes. The -purchase will be effected in your name, and when we have signed an -emphyteutic lease with you, we shall at once commence building. We want -an advance of three hundred thousand francs.” - -“There will be no difficulty there,” said Lichtenbach. “I have clients -disposed to lend—” - -“You need not go very far, eh?” said the young priest, with an ironical -glance at the drawer of the desk, over which the banker spread his -formidable hands. - -“No, Monsieur l’Abbé, not very far, indeed; but, all the same, not here. -It is a principle of mine never to advance money on securities which -cannot immediately be realized. Now, the matter you have just been laying -before me offers no actual guarantee. But that does not matter. You wish -me to find the capital.” - -“After all, this is the main point. Still, we have to rely on others than -yourself. These gentlemen will not place their confidence lightly. They -trust you, as they are certain of you, but they would not listen to -strangers.” - -“These gentlemen, as usual, will only have to deal with me,” said -Lichtenbach, with deference. “I know what I owe them, and they will -always find me at their service.” - -“Then, as soon as the land is bought, and placed at our disposal, we -immediately commence excavations, which will reveal the presence in the -subsoil of the layers of ore I have been speaking to you about. At a -bound the value of the land will be increased tenfold. You will sell back -a small part of the ground, and with the profits, without further -expenditure, we shall have paid for the establishment of our community.” - -“If the tenor of the ore is such as you state, the exploitation, once -granted to a company, will bring you in large revenues for several -years.” - -“That is what Monseigneur said on receiving the report of the engineer -who undertook the soundings. Oh! we need a great deal of money to make -the work a success,” sighed the young priest. “Our religion is attacked -with such violence that if we do nothing but defend it we are lost. We -must carry the war into the enemy’s territory.” - -“That is my own opinion, Monsieur l’Abbé. As you see, my journal has -zealously undertaken the campaign.” - -“Yes, it is doing good; but your _panache blanc_ is not sufficiently -dogmatic as regards pure doctrine. Too much space is given to speculation -and business enterprise. Your columns smack too much of the Bourse.” - -“Monsieur l’Abbé,” replied Elias, roughly, “I do not possess, as these -gentlemen do, the art of conducting business in a double-faced manner. -But I will learn from them.” - -“Come, do not play the jesuit, my dear Lichtenbach,” said the young -priest, airily. “We appreciate your services; that you have had proof of, -and shall have again. By-the-by, who is this wounded man we picked up -yesterday at Issy? The poor fellow was in a bad way. He came under your -recommendation.” - -Elias turned pale. In tones of alarm he exclaimed—“Not so loud! Monsieur -l’Abbé—not so loud! No one must suspect that—” - -“Oh! what a state you are in! Rest assured. The Superior and myself alone -were taken into the poor wretch’s confidence. After all, he said very -little. He was completely exhausted by the efforts he had made in -dragging himself to our door. It was four o’clock in the morning, and the -whole brotherhood was at matins. It was, accordingly, possible to -introduce the wounded man without any one seeing him. It was quite time, -for, as soon as he was put to bed, he fainted away.” - -“Who is attending to him?” - -“Our Superior himself; he has a thorough knowledge of medicine. Besides, -the arm was cut off as though by a thermo-cautery, and all that had to be -done was to dress the wound. The man has given evidence of the most -heroic courage. But now he is ravaged by fever, and he speaks.” - -“What does he say?” - -“A most extraordinary mixture of things. He mentions, in almost the same -breath, a fortified camp in the Vosges, and a war powder possessed of -extraordinary virtues. His object is to carry off the plans of the -former, and obtain possession of the formula of the latter.” - -“Does he mention no names?” - -“Yes, the name of a woman, whom he calls Sophia, and sometimes the -baroness. He consults and threatens her in turn. She appears to be his -accomplice in some underhand work or other.” - -“Has he expressed himself more clearly?” - -“No, he beats about the bush, and it is impossible to understand his -meaning. After all, you have nothing to fear.” - -Elias gave a sigh of relief. - -“Monsieur l’Abbé, I am not afraid for myself, but for others. I am -engaged in great international relations, as you are aware. The interests -entrusted to my care represent not merely immense capital, but a great -number of human lives. It is accordingly my duty to be very prudent.” - -The young priest gave a gesture of protest. His countenance assumed a -serious expression. - -“I do not want to hear anything about it, M. Lichtenbach. These -gentlemen, as you are aware, are thorough Frenchmen. Everything that -happens beyond the frontiers is foreign to them—I might almost say -hostile. Outside of France, which we love with deep and enlightened -tenderness, and wish to save from the corruption of revolution, we -recognize only the Pope, Sovereign of all Catholics, and our chief, whom -we blindly obey. Keep your secrets; we will respect them, as you are -serving us. But do not expect from us any help in the success of -enterprises which would not concur towards the triumph of the cause to -which we are devoted—monarchy and religion. In all else you will find us -neutral. That is all you may expect of us.” - -“Have you been commissioned to tell me this?” asked Elias, in tones of -anguish. - -“No, my dear Lichtenbach; I was only to speak to you of the ground -purchase.” - -“Thanks, Monsieur l’Abbé. Tell them I will send my agent to-morrow to -Grasse, to bring the matter to a conclusion, and that before the month is -over we shall be in possession.” - -“Very well!” - -The young Abbé rose from his seat. He stopped, and, in negligent tones, -said— - -“Ah! I was forgetting. Have you heard of that frightful catastrophe which -took place at Vanves? The explosion even shook the buildings here at -Issy. Were you not acquainted with this General de Trémont?” - -Lichtenbach looked paler and more sombre than ever, as he replied -stammeringly— - -“Yes, Monsieur l’Abbé, I knew him a long time ago.” - -“It appears he was a dangerous maniac, dabbling with chemical experiments -which were destined to kill him in time. A person of doubtful morality as -well, according to public rumour, and who, even at his advanced age, gave -himself up to the most degrading debauchery. He will not be missed. They -say he was assassinated and robbed, before his house blew up. That is -what comes of investigating in explosives! Well, _au revoir_, my dear -Lichtenbach. When you come to see the patient give me due notice, and I -will introduce you to him privately.” - -Lichtenbach made no reply. He showed out his visitor with a semblance of -respectful humility. Then he bowed, as to a superior, and said— - -“Assure your friends, Monsieur l’Abbé, of my devotion to their -interests.” - -“Good! Though it is scarcely necessary,” replied the young priest, -carelessly; and, slowly descending the staircase, he disappeared. - -Lichtenbach, in thoughtful mood, returned to his study. It was now almost -dark. Where the Abbé had just been sitting, a female form now sat -stretched out in the armchair. A fresh, clear voice said— - -“It is as dark as in an oven here, Lichtenbach; let us have a little -light.” - -“What! You are here, Baroness!” exclaimed the banker, eagerly. - -“Yes, I have just arrived. Was that the little Abbé d’Escayrac you were -just taking leave of?” - -Lichtenbach had turned on the electric light, bringing into view the -unceremonious visitor Elias had just called Baroness. She was a -light-complexioned young woman, of exceeding beauty, with proud profile, -blue eyes, intelligent forehead, though there was an expression of -harshness in her small mouth, with its charming red lips, as well as in -her strong chin. She was very elegantly clothed in black, and wore a -hooded lace cloak. Patent leather shoes covered her charming feet. - -“Have you been here long?” asked Elias abstractedly. - -“No, I have only just come, I say. Your servant showed me into the salon, -and I came in here when I heard your visitor leave. Do not be uneasy, I -was not listening to what he said.” - -“Oh! I have no need to be on my guard against you.” - -“Yes, you mistrust me, as you do every one else. I do not blame you for -it. It is a sign of prudence. Though, all the same, you have nothing to -fear from me, and neither have I from you.” - -“Oh! Baroness, you know that I belong to you, body and soul,” exclaimed -Lichtenbach. - -“Yes, yes, and you would not be sorry if the converse were true, would -you?” interrupted the young woman, with a mocking smile. - -The banker’s pale face lit up with passion; he drew near the Baroness, -and, taking her hand within his own, said— - -“And yet, Sophia, if you would only—” - -Withdrawing her hand, she tossed her head with an air of disdain, and -replied— - -“Yes, but I will not, there!” - -“Never?” - -“Who can tell? If ever I am in great pecuniary difficulties, perhaps I -may apply to you. Would you advance me money, Lichtenbach, if I needed -any?” - -As she spoke she looked at the banker with a bewitching glance and a -smile full of promise. The latter, as soon as mention was made of money, -regained possession of himself. Placing his hand on her lap, he said, in -a tone of assurance— - -“I will give you as much as you need.” - -“You undertake a great deal. Take care! After all, there is no hurry; the -time has not come yet.” - -As she spoke, she drew back slightly from Lichtenbach’s presence. The -latter sighed— - -“Ah, Sophia, you are a terrible flirt—your only pleasure consists in -making men mad.” - -“I? You are dreaming, Lichtenbach. Have you ever seen me trouble about -any man unless it were to my interest to do so? And yet you say such -silly things. One would think you did not know me!” - -“On the contrary, I know you well. Even better than you imagine, for -there are portions of your short life-which, all the same, has gone -through so many sensations—which you leave in a favourable light, so that -I have understood them. You are very clever and bold. I, too, am very -tenacious and patient, and have an instinctive knowledge of what it is -useful for me to know, as well as the means of obtaining information. -Accordingly, I am well aware what you are to-day, Baroness Grodsko. But I -also know what you were before.” - -Sophia’s eyes flashed, and her lips contracted, giving her face an aspect -of terrible import. Looking boldly at Elias, she said, dryly— - -“Ah, ah! Tell me all about it. I should be very pleased to know what you -have learned about me. If it is true I will not deny it, upon my honour I -will not. If false you may stop the wages of your informers. When one has -spies in one’s pay one should always try to have reliable and intelligent -ones.” - -“Mine never deceive me; it is not to their interest to lie.” - -“We shall see about that. Well—” - -“Well, before becoming the wife of Baron Elmer Grodsko, a Hungarian -nobleman, who quarrelled with his family in order to marry you, you were -dancing and singing at the theatre of Belgrade, in a touring troupe, -directed by an adventurer, half villain, half rogue, named Valaque. It -was there that Baron Elmer, on his way from Varna, saw you, fell in love, -and carried you off, after shooting down Escovisco, who pursued him with -a poniard.” - -The young woman’s lips quivered, as she said with a look of disdain— - -“Then that is all you know? You cannot go back any further than the -theatre of Belgrade, and the Escovisco affair? You are making much ado -about very little!” - -“Oh! I was proceeding in order. I could go back further, and tell you of -the mysterious strange death of Madame Ferranti, a charitable lady of -Trieste, who had taken you, almost dead with hunger, from the streets -into her service. You were sixteen years of age. Your benefactresses had -a son. On the day his mother died—she was said to have been poisoned, -though there was no definite proof of this—young Ferranti left home with -you, carrying off all the ready money, negotiable deeds, and jewels of -his dead mother. Was it you or he who gave Madame Ferranti the cup of tea -she drank before she fell asleep never to wake again?” - -“Indeed it was neither he nor I. It was an old servant, who had been -twenty years in their service. Besides, she confessed it, and as there -was no proof against her, nor against any one else, she was released.” - -“Whilst you set out for Venice, and had a pleasant time with your -companion. Ah! He had a fine way of mourning for his mother, the young -Ferranti! It was at the Café Florian, on the Place Saint-Marc, that, one -evening when he was drunk, the young ninny picked a quarrel with an -Austrian major, who, the following morning, on the Lido, ran six inches -of steel into his body, killing him on the spot.” - -“Quite true! Poor Ferranti! He was a handsome fellow, who waltzed -divinely, but was too fond of absinthe. It _was_ that which killed him, -or rather the stoccata of Major Bruzelow—a fine man, whose moustaches -went almost round his head, but as stupid as his sabre, and as dangerous. -It was he who forced me to leave Venice, where I was enjoying myself so -well! I could not even speak to a man without the Major challenging him. -He would have called out the whole town; I was obliged to go.” - -“The Austrian police had something to do with it, had they not?” - -“I have always hated the Tedeschi, and they have always paid me back in -the same coin!” - -“So that you cannot return to Austria, even now?” - -“No, all by reason of that fool of a Grodsko.” - -“And what has become of this excellent Grodsko, who broke his mother’s -heart all for your sake?” - -“The excellent Grodsko spends the summer in Vienna, and the winter at -Monte Carlo. Both winter and summer he gambles to pass the time, and when -he has lost he drowns his disappointment in drink.” - -“Does he always lose?” - -“Yes, so he is always drinking.” - -“Here are a few corpses already, if I know how to count, to your credit, -without mentioning the grief, despair, and shame of others. You have -lived a very exciting life, though you have scarcely yet reached the age -of thirty.” - -“I was twenty-eight last week,” rectified the Baroness, coldly. - -“You have trampled on humanity as on a carpet to gain your objects: -luxury, pleasure, domination. And here you are to-day more brilliant, -better loved, and more powerful than ever, with a strength of will which -shrinks before nothing, and a conscience ready for anything. Am I right?” - -She looked boldly at Lichtenbach, then, drawing from her pocket a -cigarette-case of chased silver, she took out an Oriental cigarette, -which she lit with perfect coolness; then she replied in gentle tones— - -“Quite right, though incomplete. I am far more to be dreaded than you -imagine. You are well aware of it, but are afraid of displeasing me by -depicting me as I really am. You are in the wrong. I have such a scorn -for mankind that you cannot vex me by declaring me to be ready to profit -by it, as though it were a piece of merchandise. In my opinion, men are -no more interesting than cattle destined for slaughter. They serve to -feed and enrich me; it is for that they toil and die. Apparently, it is -their function, since they cannot escape this fate, and as soon as one -disappears another offers to replace him. Are you going to say that I am -a destroying flail? Possibly. All over the world there are beings born -for work, sacrifice, and suffering; as there are others born irremediably -for idleness, egoism, and enjoyment. It is nature which has made it so. -To some instinct manifests itself, leading to servitude, to others -leading to tyranny. Beings exploited and exploiting, beasts of burden and -beasts of prey. Is not that the sole social classification founded on -common sense? Look all around you, Lichtenbach, it is an invariable rule: -a flock of simpletons led away, fleeced, and strangled by a few audacious -individuals. Will you reproach me for being of the number of those who -strangle, rather than of those who fleece? We are both at the same game, -Lichtenbach; the only difference is, I am bold enough to confess it, -whilst you are hypocritical enough to say nothing. Our object is the -same—the exploitation of the human race for our greatest mutual profit -and pleasure. There you are! If I am wrong, prove it to me now.” - -She had spoken without raising her voice, and the calm tone in which -these terrible theories had been expounded as they came from that -charming mouth formed so strange a contrast with the ferocious cynicism -of the confession that Lichtenbach, who, although he appeared to have no -illusions left concerning his beautiful and dangerous partner, was placed -for a moment out of countenance. He had very few scruples, this -trafficker in all kinds of goods, who had commenced by despoiling his -country in its hour of trial, and who continued speculating on social -poverty and infamy. But now he found himself confronted by a creature -more audacious and violent, if not more redoubtable, than himself, And he -weighed in imagination the perils she might make him incur and the -advantages she could bring him. This beautiful, intelligent, and -unscrupulous woman was an admirable instrument. He knew what she was -capable of, but he had no wish to run so great a risk as she ran without -any need. The adventures which offered the Baroness Sophia her most -certain means of existence were not open to him; other matters, those of -a man on the eve of becoming a Deputy, perhaps a Minister, and those of -this industrial cosmopolity, coining money with filth and blood. His -coolness returned. He had said too much that was foolish at the beginning -of the conversation. The time had come to mitigate the confidence of the -beautiful Sophia, and to give her to understand that, between herself and -himself, their existed a stout barrier of respectability and of millions -of francs. - -“On the whole, my dear Baroness,” he said, “there is some truth in what -you have just said, though your manner of explaining yourself is rather -exotic. Your pompous and declamatory cynicism is of the Orient. All you -have declared a few moments ago may be summed up in a very few words; -human inequality is unchangeable. There are fools and rogues. The first -are exploited by the second, under the surveillance of the police and the -control of the law. In your theory, you have not granted sufficient -importance to police and law. I could not recommend you too strongly to -pay more attention to them. They are one of the most important factors in -the problem you are spending your life in solving. If you consider them -as a neglectable quantity, one of these mornings you will receive a rude -awakening.” - -She smiled disdainfully— - -“The small fish are caught in the meshes of the net, the large ones break -through and escape. I am afraid of no thing or person except myself. I -alone am capable of doing myself any harm. That, of course, I never think -of doing.” - -“Not just now. But you have gone through moments of anxiety. I heard that -in London two years ago.” - -A dark cloud came over Sophia’s brow. She suddenly flung her cigarette -into the fire, and in changed accents, said— - -“Yes, I have committed acts of folly, for I was in love. And a woman in -love becomes as stupid as a man.” - -“The object of your affections was an actor, I believe, the handsome -Stevenson?” - -“Yes, Richard Stevenson, the rival of Irving.” - -“You were madly in love with him, but he played you false. Accordingly, -one evening you found means to entice your rival on board a yacht you had -hired, lying at anchor on the Thames. Since that time she was never heard -of.” - -“Ah! You are acquainted with that anecdote? Indeed you have been well -informed. Do you also know that Stevenson, to whom in a fit of madness I -had said that he would never see her again, beat me with his cane, and -left me almost dead on the spot?” - -“The stick presented to him by the Prince of Wales, doubtless. You must -have felt highly flattered. It did not prevent you two days later from -going to the Empire, and cheering your brutal persecutor.” - -“Yes, I loved the wretch; but now, luckily, all that is over.” - -Lichtenbach burst into a laugh. - -“What have you done with the handsome Cesare Agostini?” - -“Ah! He forms a mere pastime for me. I must interest myself in some one -or other. That is no passion at all.” - -“All the same, he costs you a great deal, I suppose?” - -“Enormous sums! These Italians are terrible spendthrifts. This one knows -one good way of making money, and ten better ways of spending it. In the -first place, he is a gambler, and then, he cannot see a fine ring without -buying it. But then, he has a few good qualities. He is no novice at -either pistol or sword.” - -“He is simply a bravo.” - -“At your service, if there is any one you wish to be rid of.” - -“Is he bold and intrepid?” - -“Yes; but, above all, to be relied on. Try him, you will be well -satisfied.” - -Lichtenbach’s countenance grew dark, as it always did every time a -subject was mentioned which did not please him, and he said in arrogant -tones— - -“Much obliged, but I do not deal in drama; comedy is sufficient for me.” - -“Ah! You’re fond of a joke. You are still one of those good apostles who -insinuate a crime, have it executed, and then exclaim in candid tones, ‘I -have had nothing to do with it!’ Have you had nothing to do with this -affair at Vanves, I should like to know?” - -This time Elias became quite angry. - -“Silence! What are you thinking of to cry out in such a loud voice? Are -we the only ones in the house?” - -She burst into a laugh. - -“Well, well! You amuse me! For an hour you have been telling me my own -history, without the slightest precaution, and when I make the slightest -allusion to your’s you tremble with fear. You do not mind compromising -me, but not yourself. Very kind of you.” - -“My daughter is here, and I have no wish—” - -“For her to know you under your real aspect. For you are a regular -scoundrel, Lichtenbach, and of the very worst kind, one who wishes to -keep up appearances, even with one’s accomplices. Do you think you can -deceive me, eh? Your jesuitism has no affect on me; I am well acquainted -with your lubricity. In the whole world there is no more villainous -character than yourself, and yet you wish to be taken for a man of honour -and virtue!” - -Lichtenbach, pale with fear and anger, exclaimed— - -“Baroness! Really, you wish to throw me into a passion.” - -“Oh no, no! Now I will be very nice with you. Listen, my voice is a mere -whisper. Lean over and listen. I need a hundred thousand francs to-night, -to have Hans carried off to Geneva. He can bear the journey now. Cesare -has gone to see him.” - -“Do you think he will survive?” asked Lichtenbach. - -“Yes. That vexes you? You would rather be well rid of him? Calm yourself, -he would bite off his tongue rather than betray a companion. Besides, -what does he know? That your interests were the same as ours, and that, -had he found the formula for the explosive for commerce, you would have -paid as much for them as those for whom we are working would have paid -for the war explosive. The _coup_ missed. Hans is maimed. But, thanks to -me, you are free from all suspicion.” - -Looking calmly at Elias, she said— - -“A hundred thousand francs, on account.” - -“On account?” - -“Yes, on account. And do not waste any time. General de Trémont, whom you -hated so strongly, has been killed for you. How much would you give for -Baradier and Graff.” - -“Nothing, nothing!” groaned Lichtenbach. “What crimes are these you are -laying to my account? That I desired the death of General de Trémont and -am anxious to harm Baradier and Graff? You are wandering! It is sheer -madness! Certainly they are my enemies, and have done me a great deal of -harm. But, commit a crime on that account! Never, never! If they were to -die, ah! I should consider it as a divine providence, but hasten their -last moments by a single hour or minute, I, great God!” - -“Of Abraham, of Jacob, and of Moses! Yes, my fine renegade! My good -Lichtenbach!” said the Baroness, with a look of scorn. “Yes, you are -quite ready to accept the favours of providence, incarnated under the -features of the Baroness Grodsko, but you will not take the initiative -yourself. Hypocrisy again! You ask for nothing, but you accept all! Well, -your unuttered prayer shall be granted!” - -“Baroness! In the name of God, do not compromise me. Do not proceed -without instructions.” - -“Ah, ah! How terrified you are. You remind me of old Trémont when I -handled his chemical products after dessert. ‘Don’t touch that, it is -deadly!’ he would say. Meanwhile, I tried to take in wax the impress of -the lock of the iron casket, which Hans succeeded in opening, but which -cost him his arm. And all for nothing. The box exploded, and destroyed -the secret in the midst of the flames. But some one has this secret, and -I must find it out. Whatever it cost I will obtain possession of it!” - -“What have you been promised for it?” - -She looked at him, with a laugh. - -“You are very inquisitive! Don’t think I shall tell you, however. -Professional pride apart—for, after all, one does not care to fail in a -mission of this importance—the affair is worth all the trouble I am -taking. Meanwhile, my hundred thousand francs!” - -Lichtenbach opened a drawer, took out ten bundles of bank-notes, and held -them out to the Baroness. - -“Here they are.” - -“Thanks. Now, Lichtenbach, what would you say if it were young Marcel -Baradier who was the depository of old Trémont’s formulæ?” - -Elias sat up with renewed interest. - -“What! What makes you think—” - -“Ah, ah! Cannibal, you have just smelt human flesh, and have become quite -young again in consequence.” - -“Baroness, you will kill me with anguish.” - -“Ah! Yes, you look as though you would die, indeed! Hate, Lichtenbach, -hate is a far stronger sentiment than love, is it not?” - -He made no reply. The only thing that was now of importance to him was -the supposition Sophia had just given utterance to. He saw nothing, -except that the son of his deadly enemy might possibly be in possession -of this secret they were so anxious to fathom. If only it were possible! -Suppose chance were to give him the opportunity of crushing the very -people he hated with all his soul, and, at the same time, depriving them -of a fortune. He asked the Baroness in eager tones— - -“What makes you think the General took Marcel Baradier into his -confidence?” - -“In the first place, they saw one another constantly; the young man was -admitted into his laboratory, a most exceptional favour. I know well he -worked there with Trémont, who had entire confidence in him. However -mysterious a man may be, however close and sullen, a fatal hour is sure -to come, when he is forced to unburden himself. The General would never -have imparted his plans to a man, even to his best friend, for he was as -cunning as a fox. But, after dinner, with a good cigar between his lips, -he felt strongly impelled to dazzle me, and as he could not do this -either by his youth or his beauty, he attempted to win me over by his -genius. In this way, on different occasions, he let slip several small -incidents, which, collected and coordinated by a good memory, form a -certainty.” - -“Then all is not lost?” - -“Nothing is ever lost.” - -“Then what are you going to do, Baroness?” - -“You shall know when it is to my interest to tell you.” - -“You have no confidence in me?” - -“Under what pretext should I have confidence in you? I know you only too -well. You will serve me until the time comes when you find it more to -your advantage to throw me over.” - -“I!” - -“You, Elias Lichtenbach; but that is all the same to me—I hold you now.” - -“Do you hope to succeed?” - -“I always hope to succeed. Look at me now, please.” - -She threw back her head with a movement of voluptuous grace, which seemed -to intensify her beauty a hundred-fold. She smiled, and her eyes and lips -assumed an expression of passionate ardour, which sent a thrill through -the veins of Lichtenbach. Who could resist this creature’s imperious -power? She well knew the extent of her charm. At a sign from her men -became changed into slaves. She was the magician who loosened human -passions and appetites, and led lost creatures to folly, shame, and -crime. - -“Yes; you will succeed in whatever you undertake,” murmured Lichtenbach, -fascinated by her charm. - -“No exaggeration! I am not infallible, as you know, since Trémont escaped -me. Still, I will do everything a human being can do to succeed. Have -confidence, and keep calm, that is all I ask.” - -A rolling of wheels was heard under the carriage gate, and a trampling of -horses’ hoofs announced the return of Mademoiselle Lichtenbach. - -“It is my daughter returning,” said the banker. - -“Then she is at home for the present?” - -“She wished to assist at the funeral of the General de Trémont, whose -daughter is a friend of hers.” - -A smile flitted across the lips of the Baroness. - -“Chance or precaution?” - -“Chance,” said Lichtenbach, coldly. “They are both at the Sacre-Coeur. -They found themselves thrown together, and a mutual attachment sprang -up.” - -“And now that you know of it, you encourage this intimacy?” - -“I never oppose my daughter.” - -“That is true; I forgot. You are a good father, Lichtenbach. It is the -last concession you have made to humanity. And it is there that you are -still vulnerable. Take care!” - -“My daughter is an angel, who prays for me. I dread nothing. She has her -mother’s goodness and grace.” - -“And she imagines you to be a good and honourable father. Suppose the day -were to come when her eyes were opened about yourself?” - -Elias stood upright in threatening attitude. - -“Who could do that?” - -“One of your enemies; you do not lack them now. Perhaps a friend; the -world is so wicked.” - -“His boldness would cost him dear!” growled Lichtenbach. - -The Baroness arose. She walked about the room for a few seconds, as -though undecided to leave. Then she asked— - -“Before I go, could I see your daughter?” - -Lichtenbach looked steadily at her, then he replied rudely— - -“No.” - -“Why not?” - -“Because it is useless.” - -“Are you afraid that I shall corrupt her by speaking a few words to her?” - -“Perhaps.” - -“Bravo! Well, you are frank now, at any rate.” - -Lichtenbach raised himself to his full height, and, repaying Sophia in a -single moment for all the insolent expressions she had been so prodigal -with the last hour, said— - -“Mademoiselle Lichtenbach can have nothing in common with the Baroness -Grodsko.” - -Sophia gave a gesture of indifference. - -“Very well. As you please. _Au revoir_, Lichtenbach.” - -She was going in the direction of the hall when he stopped her. - -“Not that way.” - -Opening a door, concealed behind some folds of tapestry, he said— - -“Go down this staircase, you will meet no one.” - -“There is no trap-dungeon at the bottom?” she asked, laughingly. - -“No; there is only the concierge’s room.” - -“Adieu. No ill will?” - -“I should think not; you ought to be well satisfied. You carry away with -you indulgences to the extent of a hundred thousand francs. _Au revoir_.” - -She disappeared. He returned to his desk in dreamy mood. This woman, so -dangerous and depraved, always disturbed him, though he knew her well. - -A knock at the door threw him from his reverie. Rising to open it, an -expression of pleasure came into his face. It was his daughter, who had -come to see him. - -“Am I not disturbing you?” she asked, with a shade of uneasiness in her -voice. - -“No, my darling, you never disturb me. Have you had a pleasant visit?” - -“Very pleasant. They were all very kind to me.” - -Lichtenbach said nothing; his eyes fell on the ground. He did not wish -his daughter to catch their expression. - -“Madeline is very fortunate to find such devoted friends in her trouble. -Madame Baradier is an excellent lady. She is going to keep the poor girl -with them. Although I am very sorry she is leaving the convent, since we -shall be separated in future, I am very glad to know that she has found -such good friends. It will be like a renewal of life for her.” - -“You are so sympathetic, my little Marianne.” - -“The blow which has struck Madeline is so terrible. Can anything more -terrible happen to a child than to lose its parents? And when one has no -longer one’s mother, as was the case with both of us.” - -The young girl’s voice shook, tears stood in her eyes. Lichtenbach turned -pale, but kept his eyes still fixed on the ground. - -“It was this similarity of situation which, from the very first day, drew -us together. Our common sorrow has been the source of our affection. It -seemed to us that, as we were less loved than the rest we ought to be all -the dearer to one another. She had for her father the same affection I -have for you. It seems he was a great _savant_. Did you know him?” - -He was obliged to reply. In tremulous tones he said—“No; I have only -heard mention of him.” - -“He was a very close friend of M. Baradier, and the godfather of his son -Marcel. They all bewail his loss.” - -Lichtenbach raised his eyes from the ground; he looked at his daughter -with keen look— - -“Who has told you all this?” - -“Madame Baradier and Madeline.” - -“You have spoken to Mademoiselle Baradier?” - -“Yes; and to her mother as well.” - -“And the son also, perhaps?” - -The sudden harshness of tone in Lichtenbach’s questions troubled -Marianne. She stopped astonished— - -“But, papa, I assure you, everybody was exceedingly kind to me. M. Marcel -Baradier accompanied me right to the carriage. Was it not quite natural?” - -“Yes, yes, perfectly natural. Repeat to me all they said to you. Did they -make no mention of me?” - -“Not once. Your name was not even pronounced. I was surprised at that, -for the Baradier family must know you. You formerly lived in the same -town.” - -“Yes, we lived in the same town, and left it together. But we did not -travel the same road. For, I ought to tell you, there was no friendship -between us. My father and the Graffs had been hostile to one another. -Graff is Baradier’s brother-in-law.” - -“But all this happened so long ago that it is doubtless forgotten.” - -“No, my dear girl,” said Elias, solemnly. “Nothing is forgotten.” - -“So you are not well disposed towards Madeline’s friends?” - -“Had I been ill disposed, should I have permitted you to call on them?” - -“Then it is they who wish you ill? That must be unjust on their part, for -you are so good and kind. There must be some misunderstanding, and you do -not know one another sufficiently.” - -“It is not so, my child. We have long known one another very well, and -have always been opposed to one another. You are grown up now, and in a -position to learn what life has in store for you. Very well! From the -Baradiers and Graffs you have nothing favourable to expect. Every time -you have dealings with them be on your guard. I had made up my mind to -enlighten you some day on the situation this inveterate hostility has -created between us. To-day is as good a time as any. I permitted you to -enter the house which has received Mademoiselle de Trémont that you might -not be in a position to accuse me of having concealed from you the least -fraction of truth. Now you have seen the Baradiers, and you are convinced -that I can treat with them on equal terms. Your grandfather Lichtenbach -suffered a great deal at their hands in days gone by. He was an honest -man, who commenced life in a very humble way. They humiliated and -tortured him. When I was a poor little trader they spread abroad all -kinds of calumny and slander about me. But I repaid them for all their -insolence to old Lichtenbach. All this happened before we had left -Lorraine—long before you were born. Still, this kind of hatred leaves an -almost indestructible ferment in the heart. Whatever goes back to days of -childhood and youth remains graven more firmly in the memory than things -that happen in mature life. The Baradiers and Graffs came to Paris, so -did I at a later date. We have been separated by life more completely -than by immense distances, for in this great city, from street to street, -quarter to quarter, one is more separated than from province to province. -And yet, we have never forgotten the past. The Baradiers and Graffs are -the inveterate enemies of the Lichtenbachs. Keep that well in your mind, -my child, and let it be the rule of your conduct under every circumstance -in life.” - -Marianne looked at her father uneasily. - -“Then you wish me to espouse your quarrel?” - -“God forbid! I love you too well to endanger your peace of mind, and I -will do all I can to protect you from anything which might cause you pain -and suffering. I have opened your eyes, for you must know how to discern, -at a given moment, the causes of certain events, and the bearing of -certain expressions. Leave to me the responsibility of assuring your -security and happiness.” - -“Can I go and see Madeline again?” - -“Why should you? If you do not call on her what will prevent her coming -to see you?” - -“I shall be at the convent.” - -“Not for ever.” - -The young girl gave her father a beseeching look as she said— - -“Ah! If you would only let me stay with you, how pleased I should be.” - -Lichtenbach’s face lit up with an expression of joy and gladness. - -“What would you do here?” he asked good humouredly. - -“I would keep the house for you. There is great need of it, though I do -not wish to criticize. A woman would not leave this fine mansion in so -gloomy and so dismal-looking a condition. So little would be needed to -arrange the rooms so as to make them comfortable and agreeable. Besides, -you could devote yourself entirely to your own work, and you would see -how much better everything would go. It is not a man’s _rôle_ to give -orders to servants. Would you not like to have some one about you who -would ever be affectionately on the watch to attend to your every need -and comfort? I am eighteen years old now; they no longer know what to -teach me at the convent. Very soon it will be I who will be giving -lessons to the pupils. Have I been born into the world to be a teacher at -the Sacre-Cœur? You have a daughter; she does not belong to others, she -is your own. Why don’t you keep her to yourself?” - -As she spoke she flung her arms round him and pressed him to her breast, -so that the paternal instinct of Elias warmed gently under the influence -of her fond caresses. This man, harsh-natured and ferocious as he was, -became filled with generous and tender sentiments as his child looked -down upon him. A sigh escaped his lips. - -“If I were to listen to you, should I not be doing something very -imprudent? One should be alone and untrammelled if he wishes to remain -strong and safe.” - -“But what are you afraid of? To listen to you one would imagine you were -in a state of war with enemies lying in ambush for you. Is life so full -of dangers? Is there no protection in this world from one’s foes?” - -Elias smiled. - -“Simple upright minds never see anything threatening to be afraid of. -They are blind. But sagacious observers look at everything with anxious, -uneasy eyes, and see danger all around. Look at the sea; at the first -glance all you can distinguish will be an immense sheet of water, -azure-blue, the mirror of the sky, furrowed all over by vessels, and -troubled by the winds. Then lean over, and try to pierce the ocean’s deep -bed, and you will see frightful reefs, whose existence you never -suspected, and terrible monsters ever on the watch. _Débris_ and wrecks, -the lamentable remains of ships and seamen, will prove to you that danger -is ever present, that catastrophes are everyday events, and to avoid -them, unceasing attention and prudence are needed. It is the same with -society, which you believe trustworthy, and with life, which you judge so -easy. The surface is smooth and attractive, but beneath everything is -monstrous and terrifying. Still, I am here to watch over you, do not be -uneasy. By my side you will be sheltered from danger, and as you wish to -stay at home, my dear child, you shall do so. Your presence will be a -consolation and a joy to me in the decline of life.” - -Holding out his arms, she threw herself on his breast with a cry of -gratitude. Lichtenbach, rather ashamed at having given way to such tender -emotions, said briefly— - -“Well, that is settled. I will send to the convent for your wardrobe and -all your belongings, and you shall settle down here at once.” - -“Oh, my dear father, it would scarcely be worth while to take back the -few garments I have; they may be disposed of in charity. There are only a -few personal souvenirs I should like to keep. You will give me some -money, will you not, as a present for these excellent nuns who have taken -such good care of me?” - -“But you are rich, my darling,” said Elias, with a smile. “You have your -mother’s fortune, which has been accumulating interest. Besides, I must -give up my accounts to you.” - -Marianne went up to her father, and, kissing him tenderly, said— - -“This will serve as a receipt for everything!” - - - -CHAPTER V - - -M. MAYEUR, examining magistrate, was seated in his study, near the -fireplace, whilst his clerk, in listless mood, was engaged in questioning -one of the agents, charged with investigating the Vanves affair. M. -Mayeur was terribly bored; he was accustomed to carry through sensational -affairs, without giving himself much trouble. The results were obtained -with regularity, and as though by enchantment. Chance seemed to favour -him, and he was reputed to be the luckiest judge on the bench. He had -become accustomed to his good fortune, so, when the Vanves affair had -been placed in his hands, he gave a smile of satisfaction and confidence, -whilst his clerk, rubbing together his hands, with a look of pity for the -culprits, said— - -“We shall not need to spend much time over this matter!” - -And yet matters were dragging along slowly. For a whole week, M. Mayeur -had multiplied his investigations, sent out detective after detective, -summoned witnesses, and fulfilled judicial commissions. Nothing came of -it all. As he expressed it, he was moving about in a thick fog, from -which he could not escape. Every evening the Government agent sent for -him, and asked in satirical accents— - -“Well, Mayeur, where are we now?” - -And the magistrate, accustomed as he was to success, found himself -obliged to reply— - -“Ah, sir, we are still on the look-out, but we have found nothing yet.” - -“Ah, ah! The deuce! A week already flown since the crime was committed. -Your chances are diminishing. In proportion as time passes, false tracks -appear, and the scent becomes fainter. I expected a better result from -you! As a rule, your inspiration is clearer.” - -“But there is nothing whatever to take hold of—not the slightest clue in -the cursed affair!” - -“What! Nothing? You have the corpse of the victim, the house in ruins, -and the arm of the assassin! What are you doing with this latter? It -ought to reveal something.” - -“For the present it is in the frigorific apparatus,” growled M. Mayeur. -“But neither corpse, nor house, nor arm gives me the slightest results. -An evil genius seems to have passed over everything, carrying with it -death and mutilation, and leaving nothing behind. It is enough to drive -one mad!” - -“Gently, Mayeur, keep a cool head, whatever happens. Persevere. You have -been spoiled by success, but do not be discouraged; at any moment light -may flash on the whole affair, and clear up everything.” - -What caused M. Mayeur the greatest chagrin was that he was perfectly -aware of the secret pleasure his want of success gave all his colleagues. -A magistrate who had failed in so important an investigation; how could -he expect to be nominated to the Assize Court, contrary to all normal -promotion, if he had no longer his invariable good luck as his supreme -justification? And, seated in his study, with his back to the light, -looking vacantly into the fire, whilst his clerk ran the risk of -dislocating his jaw with too much gaping, M. Mayeur, to satisfy his -conscience, in mournful accents, questioned one of his agents, who had -returned after a fruitless search. - -“So there was no trace of the wounded man having passed through the -cottage gardens, nor on the road to Paris?” - -“No, sir. I have visited all the inns frequented by the quarrymen and -gardeners of the district. No one could give me any definite information. -One would imagine the murderer had been annihilated by the explosion -itself.” - -“Nothing of the kind! He was tracked to within three hundred paces from -the Trémont property, and there a trail of blood, quite visible, which he -had left all the way, suddenly disappeared. Did he, at that spot, find -his accomplices waiting for him? Was he carried off? How and where? -Nothing but darkness and obscurity!” - -“Those who committed the crime are not professional thieves, although the -General has been robbed of objects of value he carried on his person. -Accordingly, they will not be found so easily. That is where the whole -difficulty comes in.” - -The magistrate gave a gesture of discontent, as though to signify that he -knew all that. Stroking his beard, he said, with a sigh— - -“You may go now. Send me Baudoin, the General’s servant, whom I have sent -for afresh.” - -The agent bowed, and left the room. A moment after the door opened again, -and the valet’s resolute, intelligent face appeared. He already -sympathized with the clerk, who gave him a friendly nod. The magistrate -said, in sulky tones— - -“Take a seat, M. Baudoin. I have disturbed you once more, with the object -of explaining certain details which I find incomprehensible.” - -“Do not apologize, sir; it is no disturbance if it is for anything -concerning the General. Ah! I should only be too happy if I could give -you any efficient help in your task!” - -How could this servant throw light on a mystery which he, Mayeur, could -not succeed in unravelling? Well, it could not be helped. The clerk -seemed overjoyed at his master’s humiliation. He had been worrying him -long enough with his lack of capacity. A striking failure would make him -less self-confident, and he would be a little more indulgent towards his -subordinate, whom he always appeared to look upon as an imbecile. Fume -away, my good master! That will not help you much. And the clerk gave -another mighty yawn. - -“This woman you saw leave the carriage at the door of the house—was she -tall or short?” - -“Rather tall. But as she was wrapped in a large mantle I could not say -precisely. By the way in which she descended from the carriage, I should -imagine she was rather slender in build.” - -“And her companion?” - -“Oh! her companion; I saw him distinctly. He was a strong man, with a -thick beard, light-complexioned, and brutal in appearance. He wore a grey -felt hat and a dark suit. His accent was foreign, and—” - -“Do you think it is the man your master called Hans?” asked the -magistrate. - -“It could be no one else. The General received no one, except his -friends, Messieurs Baradier and Graff. The people who came on different -occasions at night to the villa must have been regular villains for him -not to permit me to stay with him.” - -“What do you consider the reason of this precaution on the part of M. de -Trémont?” - -“The fact that he would see me trying to fathom the plots of this lady -and her acolyte.” - -“Then, in your opinion, it is a feminine intrigue which is at the root of -the matter?” - -“Apparently, yes.” - -“And in reality?” - -“It was their object to steal from the General his formulæ for the -manufacture of his new powders.” - -“Then the woman was only an intermediary?” - -“An intermediary, no. They well knew the General would never consent to a -bargain. A bait, yes. I did not see the woman, but every time she came -she left the General’s study impregnated with a peculiar perfume of a -very captivating odour. Oh! I should recognize it amongst a hundred! The -woman’s voice, too, was caressing and seductive. Ah! my poor master! She -knew what power she had over him. That woman was capable of anything—of -driving mad a brave warm-hearted man like my master, of pouring over him -the poison of her looks and smiles, and having him cruelly killed for -some cause I know nothing of. As for the man Hans, he was only an agent—a -well-informed man, for the General respected his opinions, and could -speak with him of his discoveries, but not of the same social position as -his accomplice. He was an ordinary, even a rough individual. The woman’s -prestige must have been demanded to have had him received by M. de -Trémont, who was so aristocratic.” - -“And you could never find out, by means of the cook, who remained in the -house, what took place when you had left the house?” - -“No, she was of a very dull intellect. Outside of her work, there was -very little to be obtained from her. That is the reason M. de Trémont had -no cause to mistrust her. All the same, she saw the woman on several -occasions, and told me that she was a miracle of beauty—young, -light-complexioned, with eyes that would have damned a saint. She spoke -with the General in a foreign language. Now the General could only speak -English and Italian.” - -“Was your master rich?” - -“No, sir, he had a very modest fortune—about twenty thousand francs -income. But his discoveries were very valuable. And it was these the -woman was aiming at. In all probability, whilst she was with the General, -her accomplice was examining the papers and searching among the -products.” - -“You never found any paper dealing with the relations of the General with -this woman?” - -“Never.” - -“What became of the telegrams the General received telling him of the -arrival of his visitors?” - -“The General burnt them himself. I saw him do it. Ah! Every precaution -was taken by my brave master not to compromise the fair Baroness. God -knows how he loved her! He trembled like a student at the idea of seeing -her!” - -“And yet he never gave up to her the secret of his discoveries?” - -Baudoin’s face became serious. - -“Ah! He was reserving his secret for France. I heard him say so more than -once, after an experiment which satisfied him: ‘Baudoin, my good fellow, -when our artillery has this powder, we shall no longer be afraid of any -one.’ Certainly the General was passionately fond of this woman. But he -loved his country far more, and between the two, he did not hesitate. -Besides, that was certainly the cause of his death. They could not -succeed in taking his secret by fair means, so they attempted to obtain -possession of it by force.” - -The clerk had ceased yawning; he was listening to Baudoin with -sympathetic interest all the while he was writing his deposition. He -wrote down the main outlines only, for it was the third time M. Mayeur -was having the same thing repeated to him, as though he hoped to discover -among expressions already heard, some special signification which would -permit him to unravel the truth. And it was always this love intrigue, -cloaking the criminal attempt, the bearing of which he could not succeed -in gauging. Was it a matter that concerned international politics or was -it mere spying? Or simply a bold attempt to seize a commercial product of -considerable value? Still, before whatever hypothesis he stopped, there -was obscurity with regard to cause, ignorance concerning details, an -impenetrable mystery which maddened him, and which seemed as though it -would compromise his career. Flinging himself back in his chair, he said— - -“Yes, the criminals have taken great precautions. The General is dead, -the servant, too, is dead, and you had been sent away. The wounded man -has disappeared, as though buried in the bowels of the earth. And the -unknown woman is mocking at our researches.” - -Baudoin shook his head. - -“So long as attempts are made to find her, she will hide, and nothing -will be discovered. If the matter concerned me, I know what I should do.” - -M. Mayeur, in his distress, flashed at the valet a look of curiosity. -When he, the examining magistrate, so famous for a resourceful -imagination, no longer knew what expedient to try, a simple witness -pretended to understand the position, and point out the means to be -followed. He was on the point of crushing him with official disdain, by -telling him to trouble with what concerned him, when he thought that, -after all, advice was not to be neglected, and he might despise it -afterwards, if necessary. He accordingly asked, in mocking tones, to -safeguard his dignity— - -“Then, what would you do, M. Baudoin?” - -“Please pardon me, sir, if what I say is foolish, but if the affair were -in my hand, instead of sending out in every direction, seeking -information everywhere, I would not stir a step. I should let it be known -that I had given up the pursuit, and was engaged in something else. You -must know what takes place in a barn, where there are mice. There is a -general rush to the holes as soon as the sound of entering feet are -heard. If you remain quiet, after a few moments the mice are seen to be -risking out again, and playing about the floor as before. Well, I believe -it would be the same in the present case. I beg pardon, if I interfere in -the matter, but I, too, am bent on finding the rascals who killed my -master, and if I can contribute towards their capture it will be the -brightest day of my life.” - -M. Mayeur no longer cast a disdainful glance at the General’s valet. He -smiled at him in most amiable mood. For, in a flash he had furnished him -with the means of taking advantage of the difficulty in this cursed -affair. When the Government agent should say to him, that very -evening—“Well, my dear Mayeur, where have you got to now? Nothing yet?” -instead of replying in a tone of vexation, “Nothing at all,” thus -confessing his inability to discover, and even the absence of grounds on -which to found his researches, he would be able to reply: “This matter -has been badly begun, I undertake to recommence everything _ab ovo_. We -have to deal with rogues who are exceedingly cunning. I intend to change -my plans entirely.” This time he would no longer appear incapable, as -though he were entrusted with a task too difficult for his capacity. He -would secure an honourable retreat, and gain time as well. - -Resuming his stiff and formal gravity, he said— - -“There will be plenty of time to act as you suggest. But I have still at -my disposal many other means of throwing light on the subject.” - -His clerk, pen in mouth, could not help laughing outright. When Mayeur -was at bay, without a single idea in his head, befooled by the culprits -when he had not the slightest idea where to look for them, he still -pretended to “throw light on the subject.” Light on the subject! It was -enough to make any one laugh! He gave Baudoin a wink, and noisily rattled -his desk. - -M. Mayeur, as though he guessed the secret hostility of his subordinate, -said to him— - -“Just go and see if Colonel Vallenot has come from the Ministry.” - -The clerk stretched himself; showed Baudoin his cigarette-case, with a -grimace which signified, “I’m just going to smoke one,” and left the -room. M. Mayeur followed him, bolted the door, and returning to Baudoin, -said— - -“I would rather we were alone in discussing the subject I am engaged on. -The slightest indiscretion in so delicate a matter might ruin everything. -Just now you gave me a piece of advice which I might follow to advantage. -Still, you did not tell me everything. You are better informed than you -have yet shown. Perhaps they are only suspicions, still, I am sure you -are quite determined to help justice in an energetic pursuit of your -master’s murderers. Why have you not perfect confidence in me? We have -the same object in view. Come, M. Baudoin, be frank and open. You imagine -you have discovered some means of laying hands on the culprits?” - -Baudoin raised his head, and looking fixedly at the magistrate, saw that -he was in passionate earnest. He thought that he had really an ally in -him, and that professional secrecy guaranteed his discretion, and -accordingly made up his mind to speak. - -“Well! yes, I have a means by which we shall lay our hands on the -culprits.” - -“What is it?” - -“First of all, swear that what I am about to say shall not be repeated.” - -“But—,” protested the judge. - -“Take it or leave it,” declared Baudoin, bluntly. “I am risking my life -and that of others as well. I shall say nothing, unless you give me your -word of honour not to repeat to a living soul what I am going to entrust -to you.” - -“Not even to my chief?” - -“Not a word to any one! Do you give me your promise?” - -“Very well! I promise.” - -“Well, then! as I told you before, in matters concerning scientific -research, the General had confidence in no one except a young man whom he -loved as though he were his own child, M. Baradier’s son. I have reason -to believe that M. Marcel knows M. de Trémont’s formulæ. If, therefore, -the villains we are on the look-out for have the slightest suspicion that -they might in this direction try the _coup_ which failed with the -General, as soon as they are reassured as to the result of the present -search, they will set to work afresh. It is there my task will begin. I -am entering the service of M. Marcel, and I shall not leave him a single -moment. Besides, I have a friend, who is accustomed to such work. I am -taking him with me. The two of us are organizing a continual -surveillance. If the plot recommences, we let it develop, and intervene -at the critical moment. That is my plan. That is why I made bold, a few -minutes ago, to advise you to give up the game, to all appearance. With -villains like those with whom we have to deal, there may be a great deal -of trouble. Now, you may do all that is necessary to give me a hand, and -as soon as developments have come to a head, I will immediately lay the -matter in your hands.” - -The examining magistrate reflected for a moment, then said— - -“All this is outside of legal precedent, but the situation is an -exceptional one. Above everything, we must succeed! If we have to deal -with determined criminals, as I imagine is the case, this is not their -first attempt, and perhaps we shall capture a whole gang. Put into -performance, therefore, the plan you have indicated, and, at the -slightest difficulty, come to me, and I will summon all the forces of the -law to your aid. You need simply show me the beginning of the thread, and -I will go right to the end.” - -“Good; you shall hear from me at the right time. Not another word, for -here is your clerk returning.” - -The clerk knocked at the closed door, and the magistrate opened it. -Colonel Vallenot stood in the passage, and M. Mayeur addressed him— - -“Come in, Colonel, take a seat.” - -Turning towards Baudoin, he said— - -“You may now retire, M. Baudoin; I don’t think I shall need you for some -time to come. All the same, if you leave Paris, give M. Baradier your -address, so that the summons I shall address to you may reach you in good -time.” - -Baudoin bowed to the magistrate, saluted the Colonel in military fashion, -and left the room. When he was gone M. Mayeur returned to Vallenot, with -a smile on his face; he could not allow his discouragement to appear in -public. - -“The Minister of War delivered a very solid speech last night in the -House.” - -“Yes; they try to mystify him, but he is able to defend himself. He knows -what he is talking about, and a direct attack always succeeds with -Parliamentarians.” - -“_Imperatoria brevitas_,” sneered the magistrate. - -After a short pause he asked in honeyed tones— - -“Have your researches come to a point yet?” - -The Colonel replied bluntly— - -“Not at all; they are no further advanced than yours.” - -M. Mayeur smiled faintly. - -“Ah, ah! Then we make no progress?” - -“If I were not afraid of offending you I should say that we were going -backwards.” - -“That appears to be exactly as the matter stands,” said Mayeur, with a -look of intelligence. - -“Ah! Have you obtained some clue at last?” asked Vallenot, perplexed. - -“I am not in a position to explain, but have patience; a surprise is in -store for you.” - -“How delighted the chief will be! The whole affair has put him in such a -nervous condition that the whole staff suffers in consequence. He is -never out of a temper; one does not know how to manage him.” - -“To return to our investigations abroad, what result have they given?” - -“We have obtained the certainty that, if an attempt has been made to -obtain possession of the formulæ of General de Trémont, the Triple -Alliance has had nothing to do with it. Ever since the last espionage -affair, the different Governments have given orders to their agents to -observe the strictest reserve. If there really has been a plot it can -only have been made by the English. You are well aware that their -artillery is quite out of date, and they are trying to recover ground.” - -“So there are nothing but suppositions; no proofs?” - -“None whatever. In Paris, or, at any rate, in France, there are half a -dozen women well known for their international intrigues, and who might -have been suspected of having acted the _rôle_ of the Baroness with the -poor General de Trémont. Those known to have been in France have been -strictly watched. Besides, the majority form part of our -counter-espionage, and could have informed us, whilst still in the pay of -another nation. So far as Hans is concerned, a police report from -Lausanne announces the arrival in Geneva of a wounded man, whose arm has -been amputated. He is from Baden, and is named Fichter. The accident took -place in a wire mill in the neighbourhood of Besançon. Accordingly, he -could not be at the same time in the Jura and at Vanves. All the same, -the description of him corresponds exactly with that given by Baudoin. If -this Fichter is the man we are seeking, the proprietor of the wire mill -must have given accommodation certificates, or a substitution must have -taken place on the way between the two men. All this is very improbable. -So, you see, the matter is involved in greater obscurity than ever.” - -“Yes, yes,” hummed the magistrate, who appeared so absent-minded that the -Colonel looked at him in amazement. - -“You take all this very calmly!” said Vallenot. - -“What is the use of getting excited? It never serves any useful purpose.” - -“Then you have not lost all hope?” - -“Why should I?” - -“The deuce!” - -“Ah! my friend, success often comes at the very time you think everything -is lost.” - -“You magistrates are very lucky; it is not so in the Army. When you -expect Grouchy it is always Blucher who comes!” - -“Well, we shall see.” - -“What do you intend to do?” - -“Let the whole affair slide for some time. It is too premature to do -anything yet.” - -“In other words, you are shelving it?” - -“Yes, I am shelving it provisionally.” - -“Then you abandon the whole affair?” - -The magistrate looked gravely at Vallenot and, to the profound amazement -of his clerk, said humbly— - -“I do, if no fresh incident happens.” - -“Have I to inform the Minister of this?” - -“Please do so. Tell him I am sorry, and wish I could have done better. -That has been impossible. Still all is not lost, in my opinion. We shall -see at a later date.” - -The Colonel stood there rather disconcerted by this unexpected solution, -and as he took his leave he shook his head, saying— - -“A pleasant message you send me with. I shall be received like a dog in a -game of skittles.” - -“Nonsense! You are the favourite. I am off to the Government agent. He -will not grumble; on the contrary, he will poke fun at me. Still no -matter. He laughs best who laughs last!” - -Shaking the Colonel by the hand, he conducted him to the passage, and -returned to his office. He signed several sheets of paper handed to him -by his clerk. The latter, devoured by curiosity, said— - -“Then the matter is really finished, sir! Are you giving it up?” - -“One cannot do what is impossible,” said Mayeur, negligently. “A house -cannot be built without scaffolding. Here we have no grounds to work -upon. I am not strong enough to invent what I am ignorant of. It is -already difficult enough to obtain benefit from certain proof.” - -A look of pity came over the clerk’s countenance. So long as the -magistrate had manifested a tranquil assurance of success he had, in his -conscience, violently criticized him. Now that his master showed himself -modest and simple he disdained him. Nothing but a poor fellow, after all, -who was very lucky when things went well, but gave up the struggle at the -very first difficulties. - -“Just put away that brief into my case. I am going to the Public -Prosecutor’s office,” said the magistrate. “Afterwards you may go; it is -five o’clock. I will see you to-morrow morning.” - -Colonel Vallenot, meanwhile, was rolling away in a cab in the direction -of the Ministry. On entering his chief’s ante-chamber he came across -Baudoin, who was leaving the Minister’s cabinet. Stopping him, he said— - -“You have just seen the General?” - -“Yes, Colonel.” - -“Is he in a good temper?” - -“Yes, Colonel. You had better hurry, sir, if you wish to find him in.” - -“What! He is going out?” - -“I heard him say that he was going to the Chamber.” - -“You had something to ask him, Baudoin?” - -“No, Colonel. I wished simply to speak to him of the affair of General -Trémont.” - -“In what respect?” - -“The magistrate makes no progress, and seems to me as though about to -abandon the matter altogether.” - -“You told this to the Minister?” - -“Yes, not five minutes ago.” - -“And how did he receive the communication?” - -“He whistled softly; then said aloud, ‘After all, perhaps it is better -so.’” - -Colonel Vallenot looked at Baudoin, as though to make sure he was not -making fun of him. Then he shrugged his shoulders, as though he did not -understand, and declared, in vexed tones— - -“Good! Good! Well, we will say no more about it.” - -With a friendly gesture to the former soldier, he said— - -“Good night, Baudoin. If you need anything send for me. We were all very -fond of M. de Trémont.” - -And he passed along, muttering to himself— - -“Everybody I meet seems to have lost his head.” - -Baudoin descended the large staircase. He went out into the street, after -shaking hands with the concierge, and made his way towards the small -café, where, in condescending fashion, Laforêt watched the billiard -players, during the absinthe hour, eagerly playing pools. He was seated -in his usual place, smoking his pipe, and speaking to a neighbour, a -retired business man, who was telling him his domestic worries. - -“Yes, sir; a woman who is always out of the house, and has never enough -money. The vaults of the Bank would not suffice for her. And whenever I -remonstrate with her she rouses the whole house with her cries. We cannot -keep servants, for she will not pay them, and when she is not pleased, -then there are blows! I have already been several times before the -Justice of the Peace on her account. The life she leads me is a regular -inferno!” - -“Divorce her,” said Laforêt, curtly. - -“But the greater part of our common stock is hers!” - -“Then put up with her!” - -“I can do it no longer.” - -“Well, treat her as she treats her servants.” - -“Ah! No! The deuce! She would pay me back in the same coin!” - -Baudoin’s arrival interrupted the consultation. The unhappy tradesman -arose, and said— - -“The only place where I have a little quiet is here.” - -“Well, that is something. Good-bye, sir. Consider me at your service if I -can be of any use to you.” - -Baudoin had taken a seat. Laforêt leaned over in his direction. - -“Well, anything fresh?” - -“Yes. I want you. But we had better leave here.” - -The agent arose, took his stick, and left the café, accompanied by -Baudoin. - -“Where shall we go?” - -“Where we shall be neither disturbed nor overheard.” - -“Then come along with me.” - -They proceeded along the banks of the Seine, and, on reaching a quay, -Laforêt led the way down a flight of stone stairs leading to the -embankment. Under the shade of the elms, which twisted their knotty -boughs above the slimy, swift-flowing river, they sat down. On the -opposite bank the gardens of the Tuileries exposed to view their lovely -verdure. Lighters were unloading sand fifty yards on the left. -Ferry-boats sped swiftly along, crowded with passengers, and the distant -rolling of carriages formed a rumbling accompaniment to their words. - -“Here we are certain that whatever we say will be heard by none other -than the birds or the fishes,” said Laforêt. “This is the spot I -recommend to you whenever you have any secrets to communicate to any one. -There is not even a single fisherman about. Now then, what have you to -tell?” - -“Well, after three weeks’ researches, the examining magistrate is obliged -to confess that he has not made the slightest progress. Clearly, if left -to himself, he will never effect anything. Besides, the cleverest of them -would have been no more fortunate. There is nothing to seize hold of. The -culprits have plunged, and everything is quiet again. The upshot of the -matter is that our magistrate is about to stop all investigations, and -now I am free to go where I like, as I shall no longer have to spend all -the day walking about the corridors of the Law Courts. Accordingly, I am -leaving Paris.” - -“Ah! Where are you going?” - -“To stay with the son of my master, M. Baradier, who is at the works near -Troyes, in Champagne. The district is called Ars, noted for alkaline -springs and thermal waters, visited every summer by invalids.” - -“Are you going to your master with the object of forgetting your -troubles?” - -“No! Rather to keep watch over him. Since I have been in the house I have -spoken with his father, and learnt several things. M. Baradier is -informed that his son has received communications from the General de -Trémont, and now the famous formulæ can only be obtained from Marcel. M. -Baradier, I believe, would give a large sum if his son had never entered -the General’s laboratory. But that is a fact which cannot be undone. The -only important thing now is to defend the young man. This trust has been -confided to me. M. Baradier said to me: ‘Baudoin, Marcel is my only son, -and although he is not so steady as he might be, I am all the same very -fond of him. I do not want him to come to any harm. As soon as you are -free go down to Ars, and do not leave him.’” - -“But why does this young man, who is so rich, and of whom his family is -so fond, shut himself up in a quiet provincial town? Why does he not stay -in Paris?” - -“For several reasons. The best one is that his father considers it more -prudent for him to be at Ars than in Paris. Surveillance is more easy in -the country. Besides, M. Marcel, from what I have learned, has been -living rather too fast, and his father has cut off his supplies; but for -his uncle Graff, the young heir would have nothing whatever. Just now he -is desperately bent on finding a chemical process of wool-dyeing, and, -though he is rather a hare-brained fellow, as the General called him, he -has an extraordinary aptitude for scientific research, so that his work -will be sufficient to keep him away from all kinds of distractions.” - -“He is rather a strange character.” - -“The finest young man you would meet anywhere. Generous and lively in -disposition, not proud in the least. Ah! he will please you, I know, when -you meet him.” - -“Then I am to make his acquaintance?” - -“Certainly.” - -“In what way?” - -“Listen. As soon as I learned that I could leave Paris I rushed off to -the Minister to explain what I wanted to do, and asked him, if he wished -the affair to succeed, to give me permission that you should come down to -Ars whenever I need you.” - -“I must have permission first.” - -“You have only to see Colonel Vallenot, who has received instructions, -and he will give you your papers.” - -“Good. And what shall I have to do afterwards?” - -“According to circumstances. It is my firm conviction that the -catastrophe of which my poor master has been the victim, is nothing but -the beginning of a drama. Many important events will take place, and we -must arrange so as to prevent them from being harmful to the intended -victims. Serious interests are at stake. We shall probably have to deal -with matters that are anything but attractive. But then, afterwards, -everything will be cleared up. We must succeed. By the way, you must know -how to disguise yourself.” - -Laforêt smiled. - -“Do not be uneasy on that score. I will be there at the rendezvous you -appoint; but I will not vouch for your recognizing me when you see me.” - -“That is all right, then. Unfortunately, I am not to be relied upon for -playing a double _rôle_. But I can well maintain my own, which will be -that of a watch-dog.” - -“Then everything is settled?” - -“So it seems. When I have a communication to make I will send my letter -to the Ministry.” - -“Very good. Now let us get back.” - -Mounting the stone staircase, they reached the quay, and took leave of -one another. - -Laforêt made his way towards the Rue Saint Dominique; Baudoin crossed the -Pont de la Concorde, and returned to the Rue de Provènce by the Rue de -Richelieu and the boulevards. Messieurs Baradier and Graff were in their -office, along with the cashier of the firm, who was making inquiries -concerning the collection of debts. The cashier was saying— - -“Do you know, gentlemen, that the ‘Commercial Explosives’ Company,’ of -which M. Lichtenbach is chairman, is on its last legs? The shares have -gone down considerably. It seems that there is an American company -competing with them.” - -“Yes, so I have heard,” said Graff. “The Americans have found a product -of very simple composition, costing fifty per cent. less than dynamite. -They have already taken very large orders for Australia and South Africa. -That is the reason of the fall of the Lichtenbach Company.” - -“Do not be uneasy, Bernard,” said Baradier to his cashier. “It will not -affect Lichtenbach, but his shareholders. You have no more letters to be -signed?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Well, then, you may go now. Good night.” - -“Good night, gentlemen.” - -Baradier rose from his seat, and stood with his back to the fire. - -“You see,” he said to his brother-in-law, “here we have a clear proof -that Trémont has been killed as much to rob him of his commercial as of -his military secret. Do you now understand how Lichtenbach would be -interested in being in possession of the formulæ of an explosive which -would be less costly than the American product, the discovery of which is -ruining the French company, and would be as effective though a hundred -times less in volume? For this is the real value of the discovery made by -Trémont, and which Marcel has explained to me. Accordingly, if -Lichtenbach, by some means or other, came into possession of the unknown -formulæ, he would only have to take out a patent, and secretly buy back -all the shares of the company which have now fallen so low. The day after -he had swept everything before him he would sell to the company all -property in the new explosive, and make millions at a single stroke, -without speaking of the future success of the product.” - -“Yes, it would be a fine _coup_ worthy of him. He might give up to his -confederates the profits from the war powder, for they would be little -compared with those of the commercial product. Governments are not in the -habit of remunerating philanthropists who afford them the means of -marching triumphantly forward to a universal massacre.” - -“Oh, don’t make any mistake. Marcel affirms that this discovery made by -Trémont is followed by the most frightful results. It is a kind of paste, -which, according to the way in which it is prepared, causes a formidable -detonation or else burns, without the slightest noise, even when in -water.” - -“Greek fire?” - -“Something like it. Or, rather, like an up-to-date cannon compared with -one of the fourteenth century. Torpedoes loaded with this paste, and lit -by means of a well-graduated mechanism, might at will envelop a ship in -flames at a single moment.” - -“That would mean the suppression of all naval supremacy!” - -“Ah! You understand. Now, do you think there exists any real security for -the possessor of such a secret? A State would have to be governed by -angels if it did not use its utmost endeavours to procure this monstrous -power of annihilating all its enemies and subduing all its rivals. This -is why Trémont was put to death, and why I have lost my sleep at the -thought that my son has openly worked with him and may be suspected of -having possession of this mysterious agent of destruction and greatness.” - -“Send him away from France, on a cruise.” - -“He would be in much greater danger away from France. The place where he -runs least risk is here among his friends. Ah! How glad I should be were -he rid of this heavy burden! I have begged him to hand over the General’s -formulæ to the Minister. It would have been announced in all the journals -that Marcel Baradier had handed over to the Technical Committee of -Explosives all notes relating to the experiments of General de Trémont. -After that he would have been free, and no further risk would have been -run. Do you know what reply he gave me?” - -“No; tell me.” - -“He said to me, with a smile, and in tones of calm assurance: ‘My dear -father, the General’s powder is still lacking in one slight detail. I -know what he intended to do, for he explained everything to me. Well, -then, I will continue his experiments, and when everything is complete I -will hand over the formulæ to the State, according to his -clearly-expressed will, and form a company with the commerce explosive to -enrich the General’s daughter.’” - -“Does Marcel know what a risk he is running?” asked Graff. - -“I became hoarse in telling him. But he is a Lorraine; he’s as obstinate -as a mule. To all my arguments he offered an imperturbable resistance. ‘I -alone,’ he said, ‘can manage the affair successfully. If I give the -General’s notes to the Technical Committee, one of those sharp fellows on -the Board will boast that he has made the discovery himself, and obtain -all the credit for it. Unless he spoil the invention by absurd additions, -which is at bottom a very likely thing. As for the commercial product, if -I open my mouth before taking all necessary precautions, it will be -stolen in an instant, and the General’s daughter will lose her fortune. -For these reasons, and others, I do not intend to abandon the work I have -begun.’ - -“‘But you are risking your life?’ - -“‘Is it so very precious? You spend your time in telling me I am a -rascal, that I am ruining you, and shall bring your name into dishonour. -Very good! You will be well rid of a guilty and unworthy son!’” - -Graff struck his hands against one another. - -“You see! That is the result of your harshness towards the poor child. -How can you expect him to listen to you?” - -“Ah! Leave me alone!” exclaimed Baradier, pale with anguish, “I am -sufficiently worried with all this! You do not intend to make me -responsible for it, into the bargain! I love Marcel as well as you do! -The only difference is that I am not always fawning on him and giving him -money! We should have been in a fine state had you been the only one to -set him an example! All you did was to encourage his evil inclinations! -If he has done wrong, it is all your fault!” - -“Yes! I, who have set an example to him, and practised what I preached!” -exclaimed Graff. “I being his evil genius, as everybody knows. Really, -Baradier, I wonder if you have gone mad!” - -Baradier walked excitedly about the room, then, returning to his -brother-in-law, placed his hand on his shoulder, and said in trembling -tones— - -“You are right! I believe I am losing my senses. Pardon me, this anxiety -has completely overwhelmed me. We have only Marcel, Graff. Think of what -would become of us, if destiny willed it that—” - -Graff rose quickly from his seat. - -“Not another word! It is unlucky to predict disaster. We must not even -admit that there is a disaster at all. Still, I cannot blame Marcel for -doing what he considers his duty. Did he act otherwise, he would be -neither a Baradier nor a Graff. He is acting very courageously. All the -same we must keep watch over him, and defend him against his own folly.” - -At that moment, a knock was heard at the study door. Baradier went to -open it, and seeing Baudoin on the threshold, said— - -“Ah! You have come at the right moment. First of all, tell us how things -are going at the courts.” - -“Everything is at a standstill, sir. The examining magistrate can find -nothing. The culprits have left a vacuum behind them.” - -“Well?” - -“Well, M. Mayeur, in despair, unable to arrest the criminals, is simply -stopping all investigations, and shelving the affair.” - -“That’s a fine idea! Is it his own?” - -“No, sir.” - -“What fool could have suggested such a course?” - -“I did.” - -“I congratulate you. Now, the rascals who have killed your master, -believing themselves sure of impunity, will recommence—” - -“I am relying on their doing so!” - -“But! Marcel? My son! What is to become of him? Have you even thought of -such a thing?” - -“I have thought of nothing else. Here I am free. If you will allow me, I -will leave Paris this very night, and be at Ars about midnight. The news -of the affair being abandoned will not appear in the journals for a -couple of days. I shall have organized my surveillance by that time. I -promise you nothing shall happen to M. Marcel, or, at any rate, they will -have to begin with me.” - -“Very reassuring!” growled Baradier. “But what can one do with such a -madman as my son? He is in danger everywhere. Ah, the cursed powder! What -need had Trémont to tell him of his inventions? If this explosive is as -dangerous to those against whom it is used as it is to its inventors, -there will be fine butcheries the next war.” - -Baudoin philosophically paid no heed to these paternal recriminations. - -He understood how correct they were, but could he do more than devote -himself to the defence of him who might at any time, be so gravely -threatened? When M. Baradier finally sat down, in consternation, Graff -decided to speak in his turn. - -“After all,” he said, “as the wine is drawn, we must drink it. The thing -to guard against is not to poison one’s self with it. Forewarned is -forearmed. The situation is not the same as it was for the General. With -a little prudence it will be easy to make everything turn out right. -Patience brings all things about.” - -“Have you finished with your proverbs, which have no meaning whatever?” -exclaimed Baradier, exasperated by his brother-in-law’s optimism. -“Without so much palaver, all that is needed is to give Baudoin -permission to summon the police in case he sees anything suspicious in -Marcel’s surroundings. For my part, I have more confidence in armed might -than in providence.” - -“If you are interrupting me to say such nonsense,” replied Graff, “you -might have held your peace. Let Marcel work on. The sooner he has -finished the sooner he will be out of danger. Until that time, Baudoin, I -entrust him to your care.” - -“Do not be uneasy, Monsieur Graff. I will answer for him with my life. -Besides, I am not trusting in myself alone. I am going to send for a -companion, who in himself is worth a score of men. I need say no more. -Trust to me.” - -“Yes, my brave fellow, I will trust to you,” said Baradier. - -“Very good,” said Baudoin, rubbing his hands. “Have you any message to -send to M. Marcel?” - -“Tell him to be very careful; give him our best love, and ask him to -think of us at times.” - -“By-the-bye, have you any money for the journey?” - -“I have all I need, sir, thank you. Your servant, sir. _Au revoir_!” - -Bowing, he left the room. Father and uncle remained behind, silent and -grave, plunged in reverie. After a time Graff stood up and said— - -“Nothing ill will happen. Of that I am sure. I feel it. You know I am -never mistaken. In business, every time we have had a loss I have always -had a very clear intuition of it beforehand. Be assured, Baradier, we -shall come out of it without loss or damage.” - -The anxious father replied— - -“Heaven grant you may be right! But so long as there is a woman in it I -cannot be at rest concerning Marcel. Ah! if it were only you or I, there -would be no danger. But this young madman!” - -“The oldest are not always the wisest. Look at Trémont.” - -“Well, well. It is all in God’s hands!” - -Holding out his hand to his brother-in-law— - -“We will have no more quarrels; they serve no useful purpose, and only -cause us pain!” - -“Ah! Speak to me as harshly as you like!” exclaimed Graff, greatly moved. -“It does not hurt me, and it relieves you! But be careful to say nothing -to your wife. There is no occasion that she should worry herself about -the matter.” - -They left the office, and, as they crossed the court they saw Baudoin, -portmanteau in hand, starting off, with alert and happy step, for the -station. - - - - -PART II - - -CHAPTER I - - -ARS is a small town of six thousand inhabitants, a distance of four -leagues from Troyes. On the manly declivities to the South stretch miles -upon miles of vineyards. The mineral springs of Ars are distant half a -mile from the town, on the road to Lusigny, as is also the thermal -establishment. - -It was whilst engaged in sounding for ore, in land which did not contain -the slightest trace of it, that M. Reverend, chief engineer, unexpectedly -discovered the alkaline and chalybeate waters, rivalling those of -Plombieres and of Aix. But, after all, Ars is too near Paris for patients -to have confidence in the healing virtues of its springs. It is -frequented only by people of limited income, and hotel-keepers who are -not in the habit of fleecing travellers. Near the forest of Bossicant, -close by, a few villas, almost lost amid the trees, are every year placed -at the disposal of wealthy invalids. These are modest-looking, quiet -houses, offering their peace-loving guests nothing but the smiling -solitudes of the forest. The weaving and spinning mills belonging to -Messrs. Baradier and Graff are situated on the Barse, the rapid current -of which turns the dynamos, which supply both light and motive-power. The -private residence is separated from the works by a large court-yard and a -beautiful garden. The road to Vandoeuvre passes in front of the house, -whilst, on the other side of the road, through meadows in which large -numbers of cattle are grazing all the year round, runs the railroad, past -Chaumont, right to the German frontier. Ars is an important working -centre. The quarries and mines give work to a large proportion of the -male population. - -Two hundred men, a hundred women, and a large number of children are -employed at the works of Baradier and Graff. The manager of the -establishment, M. Cardez, is a native of Lorraine, who came from Metz -with his masters. He had married at Ars, and was now a widower with two -grown-up sons, devoted to duty, and kind towards his workmen, but of a -taciturn disposition, and ruling with almost military discipline. One of -his sons is in the Army, the other assistant-manager in the works at La -Barre. - -A very good fellow, on the whole, whom Marcel Baradier, from his -childhood, had been in the disrespectful habit of calling “the bear.” The -“bear” and Marcel could never understand one another. There was the same -distance between them as between Pascal, the inventor of the -wheel-barrow, and the workman whose duty it was to roll it along the -highway. Marcel likes Cardez well enough, though he is fond of poking fun -at him. Cardez is very respectful towards the son of his master, though -he deplores his light-heartedness and frivolity. The two might live -together for years without the slightest affinity being manifested -between them. As Marcel says, with a smile, the one is negative, the -other positive. Cardez is none too glad at Marcel settling down at the -works, for his presence is a cause of trouble for the workmen. The -master’s son is too ready to listen to their complaints, and discipline -suffers in consequence. The military order no longer reigns, and Cardez, -more bearish than ever, never ceases railing at what he calls “the -encouragement given to the rebellious instincts of the workmen.” - -Marcel’s researches in the colouring of cloth leave the director -sceptical. He considers there is no necessity to change a system which -has succeeded so well for so many years. A dye-shed always seemed useless -to him. The raw thread, which brought so ready a sale, was quite -sufficient for their requirements. All these new inventions, costing so -dear, only served, in his mind, to introduce an element of trouble into -the working of a business already prosperous. The laboratory at the end -of the garden, in an isolated pavilion, was the object of raillery on the -part of the director, who called it “the Capernaum.” - -Since Marcel had come to settle at Ars, contrary to his usual habit, he -scarcely ever appeared at the works. He shut himself up in the -“Capernaum,” or went off in search of recreation, with a gun and his dog, -into the forest of Bossicant. Baradier and Graff owned two hundred acres -of waste land, very picturesque, and abounding in game. Certain of the -uplands of Bossicant remind one of Scotland, in point of wild, -picturesque view, dry, arid heather, and the clear freshness of the -invigorating air. - -Half-way down the hollow rose a villa, in the form of a chalet, buried in -the trees—a red spot in the midst of so much surrounding verdure. It was -gloomy and silent, and almost always uninhabited, by reason of its -distance from the town, and proximity to the wood. One morning, as he -passed by this villa, Marcel was surprised to see that the shutters were -down, and that a servant was busily sweeping in front of the door. She -was rather elegantly dressed, and appeared to be a stranger in the -district, doubtless attending to some invalid who had come to effect a -cure. Marcel was not inquisitive, and went his way. - -It was three o’clock when he reached the plain, which he began to cross -with careless steps. The movements of his dog, however, drew his -attention. He slipped a couple of cartridges into his gun, and mounted to -the side of the slope. After a moment’s interval, on climbing the -opposite bank, Marcel saw a rabbit bent on reaching the open. He took -aim, pulled the trigger, and the rabbit rolled over to the foot of the -descent. The dog was not far away; he seized the dead animal by the back, -and brought him to his master. - -Marcel relieved the dog, placed the game in a light bag he carried over -his shoulder, uncocked his gun, and, considering that he had done enough -damage for the time being, sat down on the sand, at the foot of a fir -tree, and looked dreamily away at the distant forests in the east. A -delightful torpor, induced by the dull silence of the woods, took -possession of his body, whilst his more active thoughts, as though freed -from all material bond, began to dwell on his past life. He saw again the -house in the Rue de Provènce, in which his father and his uncle Graff had -quarrelled so often about him; and his mother’s salon, where Amélie, -seated near Mademoiselle de Trémont, dressed in deep black, was quietly -working. - -Suddenly his reveries were interrupted by a bark of his dog. The -pattering step of some animal or other made him turn his head, and there, -close by, he saw a small terrier, no larger than his two fists, a silk -ribbon tied in a knot round his neck, advancing in his direction. A -little farther away, a woman, dressed in black, slowly followed. He had -no time to examine the newcomer, for the little dog, with a furious yelp, -leaped towards the other, with the unthinking audacity of a rat attacking -a tiger. A gentle voice exclaimed, “Bob!” It was of no use. Marcel’s dog -stood up against his tiny adversary, and rolled him over into the dust. - -“Bob! Oh, _Mon Dieu_!” exclaimed his mistress, anxiously, as she rushed -to the spot. - -Marcel heard the cry, saw a pair of beautiful eyes, and, without waiting -longer, bounded forth, and seized his dog by the skin of his neck, -flinging him over on to the ground. Then, picking up the terrier, still -panting with the shock, but quite uninjured, he exhibited him to the -lady, with a smile— - -“Do not be anxious, madame; your savage little animal is safe and sound. -Still, we were only just in time. Please excuse us, and take into account -that we were not the aggressors.” - -The lady put the dog under her arm, gave him a gentle tap, saying, in -scolding tones— - -“Oh! _Che bestia_! A fly trying to devour a wolf!” - -Marcel could now see her at leisure, as she was tenderly scolding her -terrier, and he stood there, filled with admiration at the gentle beauty -of the unknown lady. Her face was of a perfect oval, surrounded by golden -hair; her dark eyes were languishing and gentle, whilst she had the -chaste and timid mien of a young girl. All the same, she was dressed in -mourning, like a widow. Fixing her eyes on Marcel, she said, in quiet, -gracious accents— - -“A thousand thanks, sir, for your timely intervention. I am sorry for -your poor dog, which did quite right in defending itself.” - -“There can be no comparison, madame,” said Marcel, “between this charming -little animal of yours and this large-pawed dog of mine, accustomed to -brambles and thorns. I am sorry I have stopped your walk, but now you may -continue in perfect safety; I will chain up my dog.” - -The young woman bowed her head in token of thanks. - -“If I am trespassing on your property, I beg you to excuse me. I am a -stranger, and have only been in these parts the last two days. I am -acquainted with no one to inform me as to what I have a right to do.” - -“Here, madame, you may do as you please. Doubtless you are living at the -Villa de la Cavée?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Then these woods are easily within your reach. There are very few -passers-by, and you may come whenever you wish.” - -She murmured, in constrained accents, “A thousand thanks.” - -Thereupon she moved away at a slow pace. Marcel stood there motionless, -unable to remove his eyes from the ravishing figure, now slowly -disappearing from view. Then he whistled for his dog, stroked him gently, -as though to atone for his rough treatment a few moments previously, and -returned, in pensive mood, to the works. After dinner he strolled about -the garden, smoking, till nine o’clock; then, completely tired out, -retired to rest for the night. - -The following morning he spent all his time in the laboratory. Suddenly -the door opened, and Baudoin appeared. - -“Holla! You here?” said the young man. “Has my father sent you?” - -“Yes, sir. I am requested by all the family to convey to you their best -love. Besides, I have come to stay by your side.” - -“For what purpose?” - -“To be your servant.” - -“Very good, Baudoin; make yourself at home. Your presence will be very -useful here, in making things go all right. The inhabitants of this -district are fine people on the whole, but not over-intelligent.” - -“We will put all that in order for you.” - -He walked round the laboratory, looking attentively at the objects on the -table, and the alembics, with their copper spirals, on the stove. - -“So it is here that you are working! Who arranges things in this -laboratory?” - -“No one enters the place but myself.” - -“So I see. However, I will clean your utensils; I know how to go about -it. Are you working at the General’s formulæ?” - -“Not yet; I have had other things to attend to. Still, I intend to -commence shortly. I am very glad you have come, for you will be at hand, -in case I want any help. See here, Baudoin, these are blue, pink, and -green dyes which I have fixed lately. They are capable of giving wool an -unchangeable colour.” - -As he spoke, he handled hanks of a strong and harmonious shade, -stretching them out before the light of day, and showing all their -reflections. - -“Our poor General put this idea into my head. Ah! if he had only -contented himself with undertaking industrial researches, we should still -have had him alive and well among us, and in possession of a large -fortune. But he disdained such productive discoveries; he thought only of -the State. He would work for nothing else.” - -“After serving it so long, M. Marcel, it was second nature with him.” - -“Well, well, Baudoin! Settle down here, and commence your duties this -very night.” - -Marcel stayed behind in the laboratory, inactive, as though some dull -preoccupation would give him no peace. _He_ sat down in a large leather -armchair he had gaily baptized the “alchemist’s armchair,” and, with open -window to allow the sun to enter, he sat there in a reverie, until five -o’clock struck. - -He went down into the garden, walked past beds of rose-trees, and halted -by the banks of the river, watching in the crystal waters a jack chasing -a shoal of roaches, which, to escape the dreaded pursuit, leapt out of -the water, like silver arrows. The clock at the entrance, as it struck, -disturbed his thoughts, and he saw approaching him, and preceded by the -porter, a tall, elegantly dressed young man, of very handsome features -and blue eyes. As he drew near he took off his hat, bowed with -considerable deference, and said, in a sing-song Italian accent— - -“Have I the pleasure of addressing M. Marcel Baradier?” - -“That is my name, sir,” said Marcel, examining the stranger with a sudden -interest. “To what do I owe the honour of this visit!” - -The young man gave a sidelong glance to assure himself that the porter -had left the room, then, in haughty tones, said— - -“As I have no one to present me, allow me to introduce myself. I am Count -Cesare Agostini, of the Princes of Briviesca. I live at the Villa de la -Cavée with my sister, and I have called to thank you for the kindness -with which, yesterday, you—” - -“What I did, sir, was merely natural; it was quite by chance that I met -your sister. She is a stranger in these parts, and appeared to be sad, -and in search of rest and quiet. All I did was to simply comply with her -wishes so far as I could.” - -Count Cesare bowed gracefully; a cloud came over his handsome face, and -in accents of sadness he continued— - -“My sister is, indeed, very sad; she has had a great deal of trouble. She -has spent her strength in attending to the needs of a husband far older -than herself, and whom she had the misfortune to lose some time ago. With -the object of regaining her health, she has come into this valley, to -seek calm and quiet. The waters of Ars, too, have been well recommended -to us. But it is chiefly fresh air my sister needs, after being confined -for long months by the bedside of a dying man.” - -The handsome Italian several times shook his head, and said— - -“Oh, it is very sad, very sad indeed!” - -“And you have come from Italy with your sister?” asked Marcel. - -“No,” said Cesare. “Madame Vignola was living in Paris, where I have -recently been to see her. We intend to return to Naples, and settle down. -Not before autumn, however. Yes, it is very sad indeed!” - -Marcel saw that the Count Cesare did not appear to wish to take his -leave, and, as he was interested in what he related, he led the way to a -green arbour, with rustic seats, sheltered from the rays of the setting -sun. - -“Will you take a seat, sir?” - -The Italian chose an armchair, and drew from his pocket a gold -cigarette-case, which he held out to Marcel. “A cigarette?” - -“Willingly.” - -They began to smoke, and the tobacco seemed to render Cesare even more -loquacious. - -“This villa where my sister now lives is far from the village. Is the -country round here quite safe?” - -“Perfectly safe. Your sister will have nothing to fear from any one.” - -“All the better! I myself am not staying here long. My business takes me -back to Paris, and the idea of leaving her alone with a chamber-maid and -a servant-girl whom I do not know makes me very anxious, that I will not -deny. Is Ars always so quiet as at present?” - -“Always, at this time of the year. The season begins in June, and it is -now only April. In a few months the hotels will be filled, and the roads -overrun by all the stage waggons in the district. That is the time I -shall choose for going away.” - -“You do not stay here the whole year round?” - -“No; I only call here at rare intervals. My home is at Paris; I am at Ars -on business.” - -“Your works are very large?” - -“One of the largest in the department. My grandfather founded the -industry. It is the cradle of our family and the source of our fortune. -Accordingly, my father, who is a banker, could never make up his mind to -give it up, although he has far greater interests in other enterprises.” - -“I see he has trusted to you the responsibility of managing the works.” - -“Oh no. My father is represented by a director. I am simply the master’s -son, and interfere in no way with the weaving. Here I have a laboratory, -in which I undertake chemical experiments. But all the people in this -district will tell you that I am an amateur, anything but serious, and -that I spend more money on experiments than my pretended discoveries will -ever bring me.” - -As he spoke he laughed gaily. The handsome Italian joined, and said, in -his sing-song voice— - -“Rich men’s eldest sons are always ill-judged. When one is wealthy it is -extremely difficult to get one’s self considered as a serious worker. -Because one has no need of money, people are only too ready to conclude -that one is incapable of earning any. And yet, why should not a rich man -be a genius?” - -“Ah, sir, then what would become of other poor wretches?” - -“So you pretend, yourself,” said the Count, with a graceful wave of the -hand, “to despise these investigations, though they probably interest you -greatly?” - -“Almost as much as the experiments of a dyer. I have woollen stuffs -steeped in coloured vats, and I try to fix the tints indelibly, so that -the stuff sold in future will not become discoloured under the influence -of either light, rain, or wind. The tapestries placed on furniture or -walls, nowadays, are scarcely in their places than they have to be taken -down—they are already quite faded. All the same, the stuffs of former -times lasted, and exist even now. Our ancestors were in possession of -dyeing processes superior to ours, and yet modern chemistry offers us -mighty resources. That is what I am working at, sir. It is very -commonplace, as you see.” - -“Evidently, it is not the philosopher’s stone! Still, all researches have -their value. Have you obtained satisfactory results?” - -Marcel bowed in mock humility. - -“You are very polite, sir, but you wish to take advantage of my vanity. -Inventors always like to speak of their investigations, you are thinking; -and I wish to repay this gentleman for the kindness he has shown my -sister. But it would doubtless serve you right if I bored you with my -discoveries, took your curiosity seriously, and showed you my samples.” - -The Italian bent down his head, and, in contrite tones, said— - -“I am indeed sorry you imagined I was not sincere. All you have told me -interests me greatly. Doubtless I am not so frivolous as your -compatriots, and since you appear to defy me examining your results, with -satisfaction to myself, I now ask you to have the kindness to show me -them, unless you were joking, in which case I should not have understood -you, as I do not always seize all the finesse of your language. In which -case I must ask you to pardon me.” - -“Indeed, I was not jesting; I was perfectly serious,” said Marcel, gaily. -“I still believe you will be punished for your curiosity. But since you -insist, follow me; I will show you my laboratory.” - -“Many thanks!” exclaimed Cesare. “I was afraid I should vex you.” - -“In what way? You would believe in the most marvellous things, did I not -show you my poor results. Take care not to soil yourself; everything here -is not perfectly clean.” - -Opening the door of the summer-house, he introduced the Count into the -panelled room, leading to the laboratory, and which he used as a -workroom. A blush mounted to Cesare’s temples. He looked eagerly around. -On a Louis XVI. bureau, leaning against the wall, were scattered some -papers covered with figures. A half-opened drawer exhibited boxes of -different sizes and colours, carefully labelled. A massive table -supported wide-mouthed jars, on the rough glass of which could be read -the indications: sulphuric acid, nitro-benzine, picric acid, and a whole -series of chlorates. The Italian, pointing to the table, said— - -“Ah! Here are some chemicals you do not make use of for your dyes!” - -“No,” said Marcel, evasively; “those are for something else.” - -And, as his visitor drew near, stretching out his hand towards one of the -wide-mouthed jars— - -“Do not touch these jars—they are dangerous. If, by any chance, you were -to upset the contents, both yourself and myself might find ourselves in a -very disagreeable position. Come this way!” - -Opening the door of the laboratory, he bade him take a seat in the -alchemist’s armchair, by the window, as he said— - -“Here you may smoke, if you like, without danger; there is nothing -explosive here.” - -“Whilst in the next room?” asked the Italian, carelessly. - -“In the next room, if you threw down a match in the wrong place, you -might explode the whole works!” - -“Diavolo! Then I will stop smoking even here, my dear sir, for I have no -wish to leave the place by way of the roof.” - -He patiently examined Marcel’s fine samples of dyed wool. Apparently he -was listening attentively, but his awakened intelligence, his piercing -eyes under his half-closed eyelids were busied with that “something -else,” of which Marcel had spoken so briefly. But nothing in the -laboratory appeared to have any reference to that mysterious task, which -demanded the manipulation of such dangerous products. - -“I should like you,” said the Italian, “to give me some of these -beautiful cloths, of such a rich and harmonious colouring. I will take -them to my sister, who can embroider like a fairy. She will start some -magnificent piece of work, which will sooth her solitude, and thus you -will see the effect of your colours, artistically employed.” - -“If you will permit me, I will bring them myself,” said Marcel. - -“As you please. We are always at home about five o’clock. But do not -delay, for I shall soon be leaving the neighbourhood.” - -“Very well! To-morrow, if that will not inconvenience you?” - -“Not at all. To-morrow, then.” - -The Italian rose from his seat. He walked round the laboratory, and drew -near the window overlooking the river. - -“Ah! You are close to the water here. You might even fish from the -window, without descending into the garden. Are you not afraid of some -one entering the laboratory? A few marauders in a boat could enter the -summer-house.” - -“Who would ever think of such a thing!” exclaimed Marcel. “Besides, as is -well known, there is nothing to take. And, then, the inhabitants of this -district are very honest people.” - -“But have you no foreign employees at the works?” - -“Very seldom. A few from Belgium or from Luxembourg. As few as possible, -for they are difficult to deal with.” - -“You do not live in this summer-house? You never sleep here?” - -“No; there is no convenience—simply a barn above the ground floor, that -is all. I live in the house opposite the manager’s. It is small, but very -comfortable. My uncle Graff lived there several months.” - -“You are very fortunate to have family relations,” said Cesare, in -sorrowful tones. “My sister and I are alone—private dissensions have -alienated us from the Briviescas. M. Vignola had no relations. We are -obliged to be all in all to one another.” - -“Your sister is a young and charming lady. She may marry again.” - -“She never thinks of it. After all the sorrow caused by her union with M. -Vignola, she aspires after nothing but peace and rest. Oh, she has -suffered so much! The diseased and unhappy Vignola was madly jealous. He. -could not endure his wife to be absent from him a single hour. He must -have her constantly before his eyes. He left her a great fortune at his -death. Poor compensation for all the tortures he inflicted on her! But -now he is dead. Peace to his memory!” - -“Your sister has no children?” - -“No, sir; that is her greatest sorrow.” - -The image of the young woman, in deep mourning, walking sorrowfully about -the woods, was evoked in Marcel’s imagination. Very pretty to be -inconsolate at the loss of an old husband! How old could she be? -Twenty-five years, perhaps, at the most, and no knowledge of life except -grief and sadness. Cesare arose, and took his leave. Marcel accompanied -him across the garden to the gate, and there said, with a cordial smile— - -“Till to-morrow, then, sir, my respectful homage to your sister.” - -When he had gone, Marcel made his way towards the works, when he saw M. -Cardez coming in his direction, even redder than usual, and with a dark -frown on his brow. - -“Ah, M. Marcel, I was calling to see you! I have a great deal of worry, -and am indeed very pleased that you are here, so that you may understand -yourself, and inform Messieurs Baradier and Graff.” - -“What is the matter?” - -“The fact is, the dyers are not pleased with their working hours, and -threaten to come out on strike.” - -“Ah! That is something fresh.” - -“Fresh? No, it has been coming on for more than three weeks; the plot has -only been developing. I was in hopes that, summer coming on, and the -hours of daylight being more numerous, some arrangement might be reached. -Now there is another cause of grievance. Instead of working more, they -want to work less and earn more!” - -“Ah! Are their claims justified?” - -The manager, standing upright, cast a look of indignation on the son of -his master. - -“Are workmen’s claims ever justified? This class of people have only one -programme: the minimum of work and the maximum of wages.” - -“After all,” said Marcel, calmly, “they are only like other men.” - -“Ah, sir, let their ringleaders talk in that way; do not speak so -yourself.” - -“Why not?” - -“Because, with philanthropic theories, and _laisser-aller_ tendencies, we -should soon be no longer masters of our own works; they would put us out -of doors.” - -Marcel looked gravely at the manager, and replied— - -“My opinion is entirely opposed to yours. I think that if workmen were -treated as partners they would work better and keep better discipline. -There is a huge misunderstanding between Capital and Labour. They treat -one another as enemies, when they ought to proceed in concerted action, -like allies.” - -“Eh? That is downright Socialism.” - -“No! It is simply co-operation.” - -“And do you know,” said Cardez, looking slily at Marcel, “what is the -principal reason of the discontent of the dyers?” - -“The principal reason? Then the grievances they have manifested are only -a pretext?” - -“Nothing more. These workmen, in whose lot you are so interested, are -full of deceit and treachery; they never show their real motives. Well, -the dyers, in their secret meetings, rail at your inventions—they are -displeased with your new dyeing processes!” - -“Ah! The fools!” - -An expression of triumph appeared on Cardez’s ill-tempered face. - -“What did I tell you! Here are processes they are not yet acquainted -with; and they maintain that your object is to simplify the workmanship, -and, consequently, to do without workmen. Now they want to strike, to -obtain concessions regarding both work and wages.” - -“They have been ill-advised. When the real state of things is explained -they will easily understand. Then they will see that, far from injuring -them, the improvements I shall introduce into the manufacture are -entirely to their advantage.” - -“They will never admit that.” - -“Suppose I prove it to them?” - -“Their ringleaders will prove the contrary.” - -“Who are these ringleaders?” - -“A few Belgians.” - -“Send them away.” - -“Ah, that would be very imprudent! Better have patience, and try to come -to an understanding. These men are from the Wallon district, and when -they have drunk one glass of brandy too many you may fear anything at -their hands. It was one of these Belgians who struck the overseer with a -knife last year. They are good workmen, but terribly exacting and -disagreeable. There is nothing to fear for the present. They want an eye -keeping on them. Now, if you would like to call them together and speak -to them, you will see what you can make of the matter.” - -He spoke in sneering tones. Marcel well understood that the manager, -speaking from experience, was thinking: Have a little experience of these -brutes, my young novice, and you will learn to know them. Speak to them -nicely, explaining that it is to their advantage to work without -grumbling, so that you may have a fine profit at the year’s end, whilst -they have had the greatest difficulty to make ends meet. Try to obtain -their approval. Afterwards, come and tell me what result you have -obtained. Unless you give them the works, and capital to keep it going, -perhaps even guaranteeing them dividends, you will never make them -satisfied! - -Marcel would not discuss any longer with Cardez. He did not consider it -necessary to weaken the authority of the manager at such a critical -moment. He determined to give him all possible help to avoid the -difficulties he foresaw. - -“You may be sure, M. Cardez, that if I can do anything to help you, you -have only to mention it. It is possible we may not have the same ideas on -the way of settling Labour difficulties. Still, it is of no use waiting -till the house is on fire before discussing the fire-brigade system by -which the conflagration may most surely be extinguished. The best thing -to do is to use the means nearest at hand. Consequently, do as you think -best. Have you informed my father of the matter?” - -“No; indeed, I am not in the habit of tormenting _my_ masters with an -account of the difficulties of the works here. There will be plenty of -time, in case things become more serious.” - -“Very good; we will wait.” - -At that hour the Count Cesare Agostini reached the Villa de la Cavée, and -after traversing the garden he entered a small salon on the ground floor, -where the young lady, in mourning, lolling on an easy-chair, was lazily -reading a novel. The setting sun, entering through the window, shed his -golden rays on the reader’s face. She was no longer the melancholy and -timid widow Marcel had met in the woods. Her hair, thrown back on to her -forehead, gave her delicate profile a look of audacious pride. On hearing -Cesare enter the room, she flung down her book, rose eagerly to her feet, -and, in joyous tones, said— - -“Well, _caro mio_, you are back at last! Are you satisfied with your -mission?” - -“As far as one can be. I have seen your pigeon. He actually holds out the -wing, without being asked. You will obtain no merit in plucking such a -confiding youth, Sophia.” - -She laughed outright. - -“Never mind merit! I can do without glory. Success will suffice for me. -So you found the ground well prepared?” - -“I am afraid distractions are sadly lacking in this district, and that -our appearance in the woods has already produced its effect on Marcel.” - -“Then he will come?” - -“Yes; and not later than to-morrow. I told him I was going away. -Consequently you will have the field free to do as you please. Do not let -this affair lag; you have your revenge to take.” - -“Ah, _mio caro_, the _coup_ missed the first time, all through Hans’ -stupid obstinacy. Had he left me to act as I pleased, the General would -finally have offered me his formulæ on a silver plate, and kneeling into -the bargain. Hans wished to rush everything through, and old Trémont, -infatuated as he was, became distrustful. Sorry adventure, in which our -friend lost his arm, and almost all of us just missed being compromised. -The most stupid part of it was that the General had said to Hans, as he -pointed out to him the steel box—a fine box of Fichet’s, supplied with -one of those admirable locks, so very complicated, but which are of no -use whatever: ‘Look here, my friend, it is impossible to open this -without my permission. All my secrets are inside. On raising this lid all -my formula would be found. But then one must know how to do it; otherwise -one may die in the attempt.’ Ah, ah! Old Trémont spoke the truth! He had -made his box into a kind of reversing bomb. One must know how to handle -it. Hans perceived the necessity of this. All the same, he distrusted -himself. He had taken the precaution to go out on to the perron of the -house, and there he tried to open the box. Ah, _caro mio_, when the -explosion took place the very earth trembled! I had already returned to -Paris in the carriage. The vibration was so great that the very windows -of the brougham shook. I thought to myself: There, Hans has smashed up -everything! I had no idea I was so near the truth, for the house was -entirely destroyed. I cannot possibly understand how Hans, who had -succeeded in opening the lock of the box, and who, lying on the ground a -score of yards away, behind a tree, drew off the lid with a cord, justly -dreading some devilish trick or other, was not completely blown to -pieces.” - -“But since the lock was opened, how was the explosion produced?” - -“It was when the lid was raised that the explosion happened. Did the box -overturn? It was a very heavy one. Was there some special manner of -placing it, when removing the lid, to prevent a prime of fulminate going -off? Was it clock-work, arranged in a certain manner? All is mere -conjecture. What is certain enough is that, in a second, box, formulæ, -powders, house, Hans’ arm, and all our hopes disappeared at the same -time. Our friend must have shown extraordinary energy not to have been -surprised by all the people who came running up from all directions. You -may believe me when I say that, so long as I was not assured that he was -out of danger, I felt very anxious.” - -“Ah, you are an intelligent woman, Sophia—really clever and brave! Now we -must make amends for a preliminary defeat, and nonplus this young booby -of a Marcel.” - -“Just leave the matter to me. He seemed a very nice young fellow.” - -“You are right; but don’t go and fall in love with him, whatever you do.” - -She burst into a laugh. - -“I have other things to attend to. Besides, Cesare, is it so easy to find -a rival to yourself?” - -The handsome Italian shook his head. - -“You are so strange, Sophia, whatever is difficult is the very thing to -tempt you.” - -“A scene of jealousy between you and me, Cesare!” said Sophia, -ironically. “Do we not know one another well enough to be _blasés_ as -regards our mutual qualities and failings? Shall I be jealous, the day I -have married you to Lichtenbach’s wealthy daughter? Just close your eyes, -and leave me free to act. Besides, if you acted otherwise, that would be -all of no use. You are well aware that I have never done anything that -did not please me, even with personages far more redoubtable than -yourself.” - -“Come, come, Sophia, do not get excited! If I do not stop you, you will -be threatening me in a minute. Ah, you have a will of iron!” - -“Yes; and just now it is my will to completely subjugate this young -Baradier.” - -“Poor fellow, you will succeed only too easily!” - -“Ah! Now you are going to pity him, are you?” - -They both laughed outright. Then the young woman asked— - -“Have you visited the dwelling?” - -“Yes. I have also obtained an entrance into the laboratory without the -slightest effort.” - -“Did you see anything special?” - -“A number of spiders’ webs, several broken phials, and tubs of various -colours, in which pieces of cloth were soaking.” - -“Nothing resembling the powders we are in search of?” - -“Nothing whatever. I must say that, in one of the rooms of the -summer-house, the young man charitably warned me that if I touched a -single one of the flagons lying on the table some catastrophe might -result. Accordingly, it is there he manipulates his products, or, at any -rate, conceals them. In the next room there is nothing suspicious. He -said to me: ‘Here you may smoke, if you like, and that without the -slightest danger.’” - -“That is worth knowing.” - -“Do you think of going to see him?” - -“I think of nothing and of everything. Does one ever know what means will -have to be employed in the performance of anything? Wisdom consists in -preparing several, so as not to be caught unexpectedly. I have undertaken -to obtain possession of and hand over the formulæ of the General de -Trémont. For me, it is a matter of self-respect, as well as a question of -interest. I will not admit that I cannot succeed in anything I undertake. -Our friends abroad would consider me as having depreciated in ability if -I failed, and you know what their support is worth to me. So long as my -influence lasts, the Baron Grodsko will remain aloof, and not trouble -about me. If my protection were to cease to-morrow, Heaven knows what -sort of account I should have to give him!” - -Cesare looked at the young woman in surprise. - -“Ah! You are almost overcome with emotion. Are you afraid of him?” - -Sophia became serious. - -“I am afraid of no one in the world, as you know. Still, Grodsko is a -terrible man, especially when he is not drunk.” - -“But then he is always drinking. Is it because he likes drink?” - -“No! It is to forget,” - -“Forget what? You?” - -“Perhaps.” - -“He was passionately fond of you, I suppose?” - -“So were all the other men.” - -“Is it long since you saw him?” - -“Some years.” - -“And he is still at Monte Carlo?” - -“In the winter. During the summer he lives at Vienna.” - -“And he drinks both at Monte Carlo and in Vienna?” - -“Yes, and gambles as well. He has a way of drinking which leaves his -brain perfectly clear, so that he is able to play.” - -“Does he win?” - -“Often. But then, what does that matter to him?” - -“Then he is so rich that he is indifferent to his winnings? Lucky man!” - -“Grodsko is proprietor of a whole district in Moravia. He owns forests, -mountains, and villages. His forests furnish the finest pines in Europe. -The mountains are bored through and through with mines from which copper -and tin are extracted. As for villages, Grodsko, with the peasants on his -domains, could, in case of war, furnish a couple of regiments.” - -“And you left this nabob?” - -“Yes, for a young man, who had nothing but his beauty to recommend him.” - -“What did Grodsko say to that?” - -“He said nothing, he set out in our pursuit, overtook us, and killed my -companion.” - -“Whilst you?” - -“I had reached the frontier when Grodsko came up to me.” - -“And there followed—” - -“An explanation, in the course of which, as he dared to raise his hand -against me, I planted in his arm one of the knives lying on the table, on -which I had just finished lunch.” - -“What exquisite relations you had with one another! And did that satisfy -him?” - -“No. He bound me with cords and took me back to Vienna in his carriage. -There I succeeded in escaping from him, thanks to certain irresistible -influences. It cost me very dear to regain my liberty. Still, from that -day I had no longer anything to fear, and could travel all over the world -as I pleased.” - -“What was the name of the great personage who rendered you this service?” - -Sophia looked at the handsome Italian mockingly; she clacked her fingers -as though they were castanets, and replied— - -“If any one asks you, you will say you know nothing about it?” - -“Then you have no confidence in me, Sophia?” - -“I have confidence in no one, scarcely in myself. Acknowledge that I am -frank with you. I might tell you all kinds of tales—that it was the -minister of police, or an archduke, or a foreign ambassador, or all three -combined, who set me free. Be assured, all the same, that I have -contracted obligations towards those who served me, and whom I am serving -in my turn.” - -“Whatever obligations you are under to them, they have done a very good -stroke of business in obtaining such an ally as yourself. Is there -another so good in the whole world? You have the genius of corruption, -and I do not think there is a conscience anywhere strong enough to resist -you. If seductive charm is needed, you will succeed in everything you -undertake. Ah, your power is indeed very great and terrible!” - -Sophia smiled bitterly, she raised her head, and her countenance assumed -a threatening expression. - -“All my power consists in my scorn of humanity. I believe men are capable -of everything. The sole question is to find the way to make them act. I -have seen men, though heroes in the face of death, turn pale and -trembling at the idea of being deprived of their pleasures. The most -rigid from the point of view of honour, brought into contact with -poverty, become accessible to the basest compromises. To turn an honest -man into a thief, all that is needed is a woman’s smile. To make the -mildest of men shed the blood of another, you need simply arouse his -jealousy. These poor wretches who people the earth act, and are -unconscious of the influence inspiring them. Men are like puppets, the -strings of which are held by firm, audacious hands, whilst they -accomplish the most sublime or the most infamous actions at will. And all -this, merely through some favourable or perverse influence, a string -pulled on one side or the other. And man, irresponsible agent of a -destiny he is unable to modify, is treated as a hero or a brigand, -carried aloft in triumph or flung into the gutter.” - -“But virtue, Sophia, the love of right?” - -“Mere accidents, my friend. Do not make them into general rules. The -majority of people are virtuous because they have never had the -opportunity of being rascals. But have no doubt that they would have -been, and very successful ones, with the greatest ease. The human soul, -Cesare, is a ground ready prepared for vice and crime. It is simply a -question of what seed you intend to sow there. Very well! I am a sower, -as you have said. I excel in growing the fruit of corruption. Young -Marcel Baradier is now going to be my experiment field.” - -“Great good may it do him!” - -“Had he been content with the profession of a banker, or the business of -a cotton manufacturer, nothing of what is now being prepared would have -happened; he would have lived a happy, quiet life. But he has dabbled in -chemistry, and that has spoiled everything.” - -The sun had sunk behind the hill, and the small room was quite dark. -Sophia and Cesare could no longer distinguish one another. At last the -young woman arose from her seat, and said— - -“Come, we have had sufficient philosophy. What does all that prove? They -are nothing but mere words. Fortune does not come to those who speak, but -to those who act.” - - - -CHAPTER II - - -AFTER Baudoin had been a fortnight at the works, he was astonished to -find that Marcel had passed from a state of perfect calm to one of -extreme agitation. The young man, who spent the greater part of his time -in the summer-house, either working or indulging in day-dreams, had -suddenly begun to leave the laboratory after lunch, and did not return -before night set in. A more significant fact was that Marcel’s appearance -had changed as well as his habits. Instead of a country costume—soft felt -hat and heavy shoes—a quiet, refined elegance now characterized him. The -expression of his countenance, too, was far different from the one he had -assumed previously; his eyes shone more brightly, even his voice sounded -more vibrating. Baudoin thought, “There is a woman at the bottom of all -this.” - -He had had experience when with the General de Trémont, and was well -acquainted with that tension of the nerves which enters into the -slightest movements. He knew the meaning of that satisfied little humming -and that firm step on the floor, of conquering though feverish sound. -There was a woman at the bottom of it, without the slightest doubt. -Baudoin felt anxious. In that quiet country district, how had his master -found the opportunity of falling into a passion? He instituted a discreet -inquiry. - -He had made the acquaintance of the landlord of the Golden Lion, the -principal hotel of Ars, a former cook, who had served in the Army, and -proudly wore at his buttonhole, on Sundays, a blue and yellow ribbon, -brought from Tonkin. Whilst drinking a bitter, Baudoin chatted with him, -and listened to all the local gossip he retailed. He questioned him: Were -there any strangers in the district? Did his hotel contain any fresh -arrivals? Had any fair ladies been seen lately in the town? - -All these questions received categoric replies. No one staying with him -or anywhere in Ars could be suspected by any stretch of imagination of -having disturbed Marcel’s peace of mind. The only thing to do was to make -inquiries in the outskirts. - -“A young gentleman and a young lady,” said the landlord, “are staying at -the Villa de la Cavée. But they are in mourning, and never visit the -town, but live in very retired fashion. They have hired carriages on -three occasions, for driving in the environs. The young lady has never -shown herself at Ars, and I could not say whether she is pretty or ugly. -My coachman, who drove them, said that they look very sad, and speak very -politely to one another. He thinks they are brother and sister. At any -rate, they are not French.” - -Baudoin could obtain nothing more. This, however, was quite sufficient, -and he determined to secretly watch his master, to try to find out the -object of his walks. The fact that the young Jady was very sorrowful and -in mourning seemed no reason to him why his master should not fall in -love with her. On the contrary; besides, he had an instinctive distrust -of foreigners who passed as brother and sister. - -The following day, his friend of the Golden Lion said to him— - -“I have some news for you regarding the people at the villa. The young -man left this morning. He was driven to the railway, and is going to -Paris; his luggage was registered by the coachman. The young lady is now -alone.” - -That evening Baudoin noticed that his master returned home later than -usual, and on the coat he flung off he discovered small pieces of moss, -as though Marcel had been seated in the woods. The following day, about -two o’clock, the young man went out as usual. Baudoin, who had made -arrangements to keep a watch on him, starting out before him, waited for -him at the bottom of the Cavée, to make certain that he had proceeded in -that direction. Seated under the arbour of an inn, close to the town, he -did not lose sight of the Ars road, which mounts towards the woods of -Bossicant. After waiting half an hour, he saw Marcel, wearing a grey -suit, and with a new straw hat on his head, come along, at a brisk pace, -his stick under his arm, and his face lit up with pleasure. - -“Ah, my friend,” said Baudoin to himself, “you are on the way to meet -your lady-love! You would not be stepping out at such a brisk pace were -your mission merely to gather herbs on the hills.” - -He allowed the young man to go on ahead, then he followed him with -infinite precautions. Marcel was, indeed, going in the direction of the -villa. Since he had been introduced to Madame Vignola, the whole tenor of -his life had changed. He no longer thought either of chemistry, of the -works, or even of his family. There was nothing in the world for him -except the ravishing Italian. Could his uncle Graff have seen him, he -would have said, “Ah, caught again! He has lost his head and his heart -once more!” The fact was, he well knew that feverish state, which -rendered Marcel incapable of thinking of anything else than his -inamorata, and capable of the greatest acts of madness in the pursuit. - -But the special sign of love with this inflammable young fellow was the -reasoning rigour with which he pursued the conquest of the loved one. He -was an engineer and a mathematician even in his passion, neglecting -nothing, and profiting by everything to advance his cause, and the court -he paid was a veritable siege. - -Madame Vignola had only needed half a day, spent with Marcel, in her -brother’s presence, to obtain sole possession of the young man’s mind. -She had shown herself so charming and modest, and so cajoling, and -chaste, that Cesare, who was, all the same, well aware what this -remarkable actress was capable of, was quite stupefied at the result. The -art of deception reaching such a stage of perfection became real genius. -In dilettante fashion the handsome Italian had followed the progressive -phases of his pretended sister’s manoeuvring. The two hours Marcel had -passed at the villa had sped away like a flash of lightning. And the -young swain, already love-smitten, had been obliged to retire, when he -thought he had only been there a few moments. - -True, Madame Vignola, at her brother’s request, had seated herself at the -piano, and, with penetrating and expressive tones, had sung a few -Dalmatian airs in true artistic style. Marcel, an excellent musician -himself, had accompanied the young woman, and afterwards offered some -musical scores he kept at Ars as a distraction for the solitary evenings -he often spent there. At his earnest request, Cesare had postponed his -departure, and the following afternoon had been spent in the woods of -Bossicant wandering along the narrow alleys, breathing the keen fresh air -of the plain, and chatting in friendly fashion. That evening Cesare had -pointed with a smile to his sister’s animated and healthy looking -countenance, saying to Marcel— - -“You see what good it does her to have change and distraction. You would -scarcely take her to be the same person. Ah! If only she could forget her -grief every day in the same way, her usual health and good spirits would -quickly come back.” - -“Then stay on; why should you go away?” asked Marcel. - -“Ah! It is not I who can give her the distraction she needs,” said the -handsome Italian, heedlessly. - -A moment later he appeared to regret having spoken so frankly. - -“It is much easier for strangers, you see, than for intimates to obtain a -fortunate change in the dispositions of people who suffer.” - -“But your sister is not suffering! Look with what an alert and supple -step she is walking there, in front of us.” - -“Yes; but just now her nerves sustain her. This very night she will -relapse into a feeling of melancholy, and be completely prostrated. I -shall not be able to draw a single word from her.” - -“If you would authorize me to call and see her, and she also would permit -me, I should find great pleasure in her company.” - -The Italian grasped Marcel effusively by the hand. - -“I do not know how to thank you for your kindness. But it would be -expecting too much from you. Poor Anetta would quickly tire out your -patience. She is a capricious child. You do not know her yet.” - -They had no opportunity to continue, for Madame Vignola turned towards -them a questioning look, which asked— - -“What are you two plotting there?” - -“Count Cesare, madame, is handing over to me his authority over you -during his absence,” said Marcel, gaily. “He is making me responsible for -your state of mind. Accordingly, from to-morrow, I am in charge of your -good or bad temper. But you must be willing to put up with my tyranny.” - -Her countenance became grave; in low but fascinating tones she said— - -“Yes, he is right. You must not leave me. When I am alone all kinds of -gloomy thoughts come into my head. Be a friend to me. Cesare will not be -long away, and then we will resume our walks in the woods. Until then, -call for me at the villa; you will always be welcome.” - -Count Agostini had left, and Marcel, by invitation, was now calling at -the Cavée. The nearer he drew the faster became his pace, and his temples -were quite flushed. On reaching the villa he suddenly slackened his -steps, for he had heard Madame Vignola’s voice. She was alone in the -salon, the windows were open, and the passionate melody, in which both -art and sentiment were wonderfully blended, had filled Marcel’s soul with -a keen jealousy. It was the “Gipsies’ Cantilena,” by Marackzy, the great -Hungarian artist, who died of grief when in full possession of his genius -and glory— - - “Viens sur ma levre parfumée, - Rose fremissante et pamée, - Trempée encore des pleurs d’amour, - Cueillir le baiser, dont la flamme - Fera de mon cœur a ton âme - Jaillir. . . . ” - -The song stopped suddenly, as though the voice were broken by sobs. It -seemed to Marcel that the singer’s very heart had broken under the -influence of some mysterious grief. Unable to contain himself, he rushed -through the garden, and reached the salon. Madame Vignola was still -seated at the piano. She was weeping bitterly, her beautiful pale face -leaning on her hand. At the sight Marcel gave a cry of pain, which made -the young woman suddenly look up. Holding out her hand to Marcel, -apparently ashamed at being thus surprised, she said— - -“Pardon me. I ought never to sing when I am alone. These harmonious -strains agitate me, and recall to my mind souvenirs that are too -painful.” - -“_Mon Dieu_! What is the matter? Have confidence in me.” - -“No, no! Do not ask me.” - -Closing the piano, and summoning a smile to her face, she said— - -“Let us talk about you, not about me.” - -She looked at Marcel, and said, in tones of affectionate reproof— - -“How warm you are! You have been walking too fast, and the hill is so -steep! It will be my turn to scold if you do not act sensibly. Now come -out into the garden.” - -He quietly followed her. They walked along the small alleys of the tiny -garden, then seated themselves under the shade of the blossoming lilacs, -where they entered into a chat, talking of everything except of what they -really thought. - -On the road, Baudoin had not lost sight of his master. When Marcel had -entered the villa the servant had approached with considerable -precaution. Madame Vignola’s singing had stopped as soon as Marcel -appeared, so that Baudoin had heard nothing. He took good care not to -pass in front of the door, but followed a footpath along the wall which -continued in the direction of the wood, along a high copse crowned with -large trees. On reaching the thicket he climbed the slope, and, concealed -behind a bush, was able to catch a glimpse of the garden. The lilacs, -under which Anetta and Marcel were chatting, grew at the foot of the -mound which Baudoin had chosen as his observatory. There they were, -seated with their backs towards him, about thirty yards away. - -Baudoin reflected. Who can this woman dressed in black be? She looks -young, and of very good figure. Marcel loses no time once he sets out on -a campaign. But perhaps all preliminaries have been facilitated for him? -What is this young stranger doing here, and what interest is it of hers -to place herself in immediate communication with M. Marcel? What are they -speaking of, there, under my very eyes? Certainly it cannot be business. -Then love must be the bait at the end of the line. The hook is well -concealed, and will appear at the right moment. - -During this monologue the two friends continued their conversation. They -sat there, near one another, but the sound of their words did not reach -Baudoin. At the end of an hour they stood upright, and the young woman -turned round so as to face Baudoin. _He_ examined her with astonishment -and admiration, for seldom had he seen a more beautiful face. He was -obliged to acknowledge that he had never seen her hitherto. After all, -what resemblance had he expected? The “other” woman, the one of Vanves, -he had seen only in the shadow of night, and so as to render it -impossible to recognize her again. The only clues he possessed were that -characteristic favourite perfume of hers, and the sound of her voice, -which still vibrated in his ears. - -He thought, “If I could only hear her speak! A single sentence would be -sufficient to enable me to recognize her.” His heart leaped with joy, for -the couple were now slowly walking along the circular alley which passed -close to the foot of the mound not a dozen steps from where Baudoin was -concealed. They were speaking to one another without the slightest -suspicion that any one was listening. The former soldier, like a hunter -on the watch, who sees his long-expected quarry approach, with beating -heart and slightly dimmed eyes, listened with all the attention he was -capable of. He heard Marcel say— - -“Now that you are free, do you intend to take up these former plans of -yours?” - -And the woman, in caressing tones, but with an Italian accent, replied— - -“What is the use? I am now quite old. I am twenty-seven years of age. -Artistic triumphs would have no value for me now. Sing in a theatre, in -public;—be the object of everybody’s gaze? Oh no. I no longer think of -such a thing.” - -“And yet you would obtain a great success!” - -“For whom?” - -They passed by, and Baudoin was obliged to confess to himself that this -woman in mourning had not the same voice as the “other,” the one who had -brought death with her. He saw the two promenaders disappear into the -house, then he heard the clear tones of the piano, and the pure vibrating -voice of the young woman arose, filling the silence of the woods with its -melodious accents. Thereupon Baudoin descended the mound, and returned to -Ars preoccupied and reflective. As he passed in front of the post-office -he entered and wrote the following despatch:— - -“Laforêt, War Office, rue Saint Dominique, Paris. Come to Ars, near -Troyes. Ask for me at works. Baudoin.” - -After paying he watched the transmission of his telegram, and, slightly -relieved, returned home. At seven o’clock Marcel arrived. He dined -without uttering a single word, and immediately afterwards retired into -the laboratory, where Baudoin heard him pacing to and fro, far into the -night. - -Meanwhile Madame Vignola, seated in her small salon, an Oriental -cigarette between her lips, was cutting a pack of cards under the -complaisant looks of her chambermaid. The latter, a confidential -companion rather than a servant, was a small, dark-complexioned woman, -whom Sophia had had with her for the last ten years. Her name was Milona, -but she was always called Milo. She had been born in the Carpathians, in -the midst of a gipsy encampment. Her mother had died by the side of a -ditch, leaving her, at the age of twelve, quite alone, and exposed to the -attentions of a villain of the band, who had been smitten with the -precocious grace of the child. - -Sophia, as she passed through Trieste, in the course of her adventurous -life, had been present, in the court of the inn where she had put up, at -a quarrel between Milona and her ferocious suitor. The little one boldly -opposed the zingaro, who wished to compel her to follow him, and to his -loud-voiced threats uttered in the Romany tongue, she replied by a -determined denial and a flashing look of defiance. The whole band, the -only relations Milona knew, supported the young bandit’s pretensions. But -Milona continued her refusal, when the chief of the band, an old man with -grey beard and white curly hair, a regular patriarch, whose chief -business was to steal poultry from the villages they traversed, tried to -reason with the young girl. - -Sophia, with her elbows resting on the window-sill, was enjoying the -sight, and a feeling of sympathy came over her for this proud child who -would not submit to the man’s tyranny. She appeared to understand the -language these gipsies spoke, and smiled at the highly-coloured -expressions of their speech. - -“Milona,” said the venerable poultry-thief, “you are not acting aright. -You refuse Zambo, who belongs to the tribe, and loves you well, because -you have been listening to this little Hungarian hussar who has lately -been making love to you. And yet you are well aware that he is a dog, an -enemy of our race, who will soon tire of you, and leave you all alone. It -was to me your mother left you when she died. I have paid for your -training and food, taught you to tell fortunes, and all about chieromancy -and the composition of love philtres. Will you be ungrateful and refuse -to be the wife of my little nephew Zambo?” - -“I do not love him,” said the girl, dryly. - -“But he loves you.” - -“That does not matter to me.” - -“But if you resist him, he will kill you.” - -“That is my business!” - -“Do you intend to leave us, then?” - -“Yes. I am tired of living on robbery, and being clothed in rags!” - -“Then pay for your freedom.” - -“I have no money. Wait, and some day the hussar will give me my hands -full of money.” - -At these words, Zambo gave a terrible imprecation, and leapt towards the -child with the words— - -“That is the last word you shall ever speak!” - -And, brandishing a long dagger, he threw himself on Milona. At that -critical moment the Baroness Sophia gave a shrill, whistling sound, which -drew the attention of the whole band, and speaking in their own tongue, -she said— - -“That is quite enough. I intend to send for the police. You, old man, -would you like to sell the girl?” - -“Yes, your ladyship.” - -“How much?” - -“Twenty golden ducats.” - -“You thief!” - -“I cannot take less, your Excellency!” - -A purse fell into the courtyard at the patriarch’s feet. He picked it up -with the rapidity of a juggler, counted the money, and, after bowing to -the Baroness, said to Milona— - -“Thank your noble benefactress. She has paid; you are free!” - -“Come up here, little one,” said Sophia. - -Immediately Milona, followed by the imprecations of her disconcerted -lover, flew into the inn. The window of the Baroness was closed, and the -gipsies, with vehement words and exaggerated gestures, tried to give -Zambo to understand that girls were far less rare than ducats, and that, -though his love remained to him on account, the till of the troupe would -be filled for a whole year. Ever since this strange introduction, Milona -had become attached, with a wild and savage affection, to her deliverer. -She had served her indefatigably, and, with the exception of those -terrible secrets which Sophia entrusted to no one, she knew the -life-story of her mistress. - -Sophia exhaled a puff of blue smoke, and hesitated before the combination -of her cards— - -“King of hearts, nine of spades, and knave of clubs,” said Milona, -calmly, her finger pointing to the spotted cards. “And then, queen of -clubs, knave of hearts, and seven of spades. Still the same reply. You -will not succeed!” - -Sophia raised her bold though beautiful eyes up to her companion, and, in -her ordinary accents, which were different from those in which she spoke -Italian, said— - -“I must succeed, I tell you, I must, Milona: do you hear?” - -“Shall we try the water test?” - -“Yes, we have not tried it for some considerable time.” Milona took a -crystal cup filled with flowers. She threw the bouquet on to the floor, -and after extinguishing the wax candles in the chandelier, with one -single exception, placed the cup on the table in such a way that the -light might fall upon it from behind. Then, drawing out one of the long -gold pins which fastened her hair, she crouched down on a stool, dipped -the metal stem into the vase, and commenced a strange chant. In the -water, through which the light penetrated, irisated eddies formed, and -the two women attentively watched the broken fugitive lines, the tiny -drops sparkling like diamonds, and the brilliant spirals of the water -stirred to motion by the gold needle. Milona sang— - -“Water is nought but trouble and mystery, light is certainty and truth. -Let the light penetrate the water, and cause its secrets to be revealed. -Turn, needle; shine, ray; water, divide.” - -“Look, Milo, look!” exclaimed Sophia, excitedly. “The water is turning -red, it seems to be turning into blood!” - -Milona continued her chant— - -“Blood is strength and life. The blood of the brain is victory. The blood -of the heart is love. Turn, needle; redden, blood. Grant us victory and -love!” - -Sophia, on her knees by the side of the table, was anxiously watching -with ardent eyes the crystal vase in which the water was whirling round -under the impulse given to it by the gold needle. - -“Look! Look again!” she exclaimed. “The water is turning green! It is -shining like an emerald!” - -“The emerald is the colour of hope, and hope is the joy of life. Turn, -needle; water, become glaucous, like the eyes of the sirens, whom a man -follows to his death!” - -Milona withdrew the gold needle. The water, again restored to a state of -calm, after having ceased turning around the sides of the crystal vase, -first assumed a greyish tint, then turned to a dark colour. - -“Milo,” exclaimed Sophia, in dismay, “the water is black! It is a sign of -mourning! Who is to die?” - -The servant, without replying, relit the candles, took the crystal vase -and threw out of the window the water which had just been used for the -experiment; then, in anger, she spat out into the night— - -“May he die who opposes you!” she said fiercely. “Fate announces love, -happiness, and death. You have the privilege of not continuing the -enterprise you have begun. The spotted cards say you will not succeed. -The water predicts death! For whom? That we cannot learn. Stop, there is -still time.” - -Sophia walked silently to and fro in the salon, then halted in front of -Milona, who sat there, in pensive calm. - -“Do you believe in these predictions of yours?” - -“I do.” - -Sophia lit a cigarette. - -“What is the use of being superior in thought and courage, of a bold -audacity that recognizes no obstacle, if one acts with the weak cowardice -of an ordinary mortal? It is only in whatever is difficult, if not -impossible, Milo, that there is any interest. How can one live like a -common citizen when one possesses the soul of a sovereign of mankind? No! -Cost what it may, one must follow one’s instinct, give evidence of one’s -will. You know me, Milo; you know that I give way before no obstacle, -once my resolution is taken. Why did you say to me just now, ‘Renounce -what you are undertaking; there is still time?’” - -“And you,” said Milona, gravely, “since you are so firm in your plans, -why do you consult cards, and ask the water to lay bare to you its -secret?” - -Sophia smiled. - -“What you say is just. But, after all, little one, mortals are only -human; that is to say, beings accessible to fear and superstition. Don’t -you know that doctors—who, after all, are well aware how precarious and -powerless is their art—call other doctors to their bedsides when they are -ill? A concession to human frailty, Milo. Still, people do not think any -the worse of them.” - -“And is all this in honour of the young man who has been coming here -every day since the Agostini first brought him?” - -“The Agostini, as you disrespectfully call him, brought me this young man -because I ordered him to do so. Do you not know that he obeys me without -discussion?” - -“Oh, he will never discuss. But, some day or other, he may no longer -obey.” - -“Poor Cesare is no favourite of yours,” said Sophia, gaily. - -“He is false, and a coward as well. If ever he tries to strike you, it -will be in the back.” - -“But he loves me.” - -“And do you return his affection?” - -“Perhaps; though I am not very sure of it. Why do you call him a coward? -You are well aware that he fought a duel at Palermo with the Marquis -Belverani.” - -“Because he knew he was the stronger or the more skilful, and the other -had struck him in the presence of fifty people at the club, after -accusing him of having cheated at cards. And it was quite true; he did -cheat!” - -“No one will ever say so again, now that he has killed a man for that -very reason! Besides, the proof that he does not cheat is that he always -loses.” - -“You know something about it?” - -“Ah, what should I do with my money if I did not give it to him?” - -“You are right. Money is vile; it should serve no other purpose than to -satisfy one’s caprices. Its only value is in the pleasures it procures; -in itself it is worth no more than the pebbles lying at one’s feet. Will -the young man who comes now give it you or receive it from you?” - -“I do not think he would accept it, Milo,” said Sophia, laughing. “You -are a regular barbarian, and incapable of understanding anything beyond -bribery. There are honest people on earth, little one, and they cannot be -paid for obtaining from them what one wishes. Other seductive means must -be employed.” - -“Ah, that is why you sing when he is here! You will make him mad, like -all the others. And yet he looks so gentle and charming!” - -“That is true, but he is our enemy, Milo; and if he were to discover who -I am, and what I wish to obtain from him, I should run the most terrible -danger.” - -“So the Agostini has brought him here to ruin him?” - -“In a way.” - -“And he already loves you? Ah, your power over men is irresistible. Take -care, however, or some fine day you will be caught in your turn. Then it -will be terrible for you!” - -“I have loved, as you well know. Love has nothing new to teach me.” - -“Your heart has never been touched, for all those you have loved have -been your victims. Sincere and pure love is no assassin. It is a -protection and self-sacrifice. Up to the present, however, you have had -to deal with none but fortune-hunters, and it was pure justice to treat -them as they had been in the habit of treating their own victims. The day -you show the Agostini to the door, you may summon me to open it for him. -I will do it most gladly!” - -“That day has not come yet.” - -“What a pity!” - -Sophia gave a weary toss of the head, and Milona understood that she must -cease this light jesting tone. She said— - -“I am going to close all the shutters, mistress, do you need me any -longer?” - -“No, I am going to write. You will hear me when I retire to rest.” - -Seating herself in front of the table, she took an elegant blotting-pad -and began to trace, on perfumed paper, in a large masculine hand, the -following lines:— - - “MY DEAR CESARE, - - “Since you left me, I have not been wasting my time, nor have you, I - imagine, been inactive. Let me know how your Lichtenbach affair is - progressing. Here everything is going along smoothly. Our young - Marcel came to-day, overflowing with enthusiasm, and surprised me - singing the most plaintive songs imaginable. Milona, who was on the - look-out for him, had signalled to me his approach, and I played the - _rôle_ of despair with extraordinary success. He seemed frantic with - grief at seeing my tears flow. You know that I can weep at will, and - that in the most seductive fashion. I led him away into the garden, - and there, made him talk about himself. He is a regular child, of - most disconcerting simplicity, and so frank and open that you would - smile. To tell the truth, there will be no merit in triumphing over - such innocence. This lamb will hold out his neck to the sacrificial - knife. And we shall have our formula willingly handed over, or I am - greatly mistaken. Besides, I am enjoying a delightful rest in this - abandoned spot, and never suffer from _ennui_, even for a single - moment. In the midst of such an adventurous life, it is long since I - had time for reflection, and now I am astonished at the result. The - joys and pleasures for which I have sacrificed everything hitherto, - form, I am afraid, only one of the phases of life. There is another I - did not suspect, far more seductive and beautiful. This afternoon, as - I was listening to young Marcel speaking to me of his father, his - mother, and sister, with such tender and delicate affection, a - feeling of sadness came over me. These are all good, honest people. - They are happy in a mutual love, and would be ready to undergo the - greatest sacrifices for one another. And, although nothing could be - simpler, more upright and monotonous than their existence, it cannot - be disputed that they find happiness in it. - - “It is this lamb of a Marcel, who is the scapegrace of the family. - From time to time his father threatens him with his malediction, and - the poor fellow is very repentant for a whole week. He comes and - buries himself at Ars, like an anchorite in the desert. During his - penance he works in the laboratory, eats the most ill-cooked food - imaginable, and has quarrels with the manager of the works, who seems - to be a disagreeable fellow to deal with. It is during these periods - of repentance that the interesting discoveries on the dyeing of wools - and other industrial stuffs—which, it appears, have a certain value, - as he explains to me in rather too much detail for my liking—have - been due. - - “But, after all, he is a very fine fellow. He actually asked me how - old I was! He does not imagine that I am older than himself, and I - should not be astonished in the slightest, if he were to cherish the - idea of marrying me. I lead him by a thread—he neither feels nor - sees—on towards absolute slavery. Then, after he has delivered up to - me his secret, as all the rest have done, I shall disappear. Once the - mourning weeds of Mme. Vignola flung aside, I shall again become the - Baroness Sophia, in which character I challenge my lover to recognize - the plaintive sorrowful widow he is paying court to just now. So, you - see, I am not neglecting business matters. I hope you are doing the - same on your side. The little Lichtenbach heiress will be a - multi-millionaire; that is well worth the trouble of whispering words - of love into her ear. - - “A thousand kisses, Cesare. _Sempre t’amero_. - - “SOPHIA.” - -She sealed the letter, took up a cigarette, and was preparing to retire -to rest, when three slight taps on the shutters sent a shudder through -her veins. She listened, an anxious frown on her face, and, after a -moment’s interval, the taps were repeated. Opening a drawer, she seized a -revolver, and, walking deliberately to the window, half opened it, and, -speaking through the closed shutter, said in Italian accents— - -“Who is there?” - -A voice replied in muffled tones, “It is I—Hans; there is nothing to -fear, Sophia.” - -A slight pallor came over her face, but she placed back the revolver in -the drawer, and, without replying, left the salon. On reaching the -outside door she drew the bolts, and noiselessly opened the door. A tall -man entered. Without the exchange of a single word, she led the way to -the salon, then carefully closed the door. The man removed the felt hat -which covered his head, displaying a bold, rough countenance. He was a -man of athletic build, and very broad-shouldered, whilst a reddish beard -covered the lower portion of his face. - -Taking a seat, he cast a keen look at Sophia, and said— - -“Who is with you, here?” - -“Milona.” - -“Where is Agostini?” - -“In Paris. And where have you come from?” - -“From Geneva. Lichtenbach sent me your address.” - -“How did you enter?” - -“Over the wall.” - -“With your wounded arm?” - -“My arm is healed.” - -As he spoke he extended it with a threatening smile. The arm was indeed -whole. A glove covered the hand. He continued— - -“The Swiss are very fine mechanics. They have made for me a jointed -fore-arm which works like a natural one. The hand is of steel. It is the -best fisticuff imaginable. A blow from that hand, Sophia, would kill a -man.” With a sigh he continued. “But, after all, this arm is not worth -the one I have lost. Still, those who have mutilated me shall pay for my -flesh and blood.” - -As he spoke his face assumed a ferocious expression, and _he_ ground his -teeth savagely. Sophia, in grave accents, replied— - -“Have you not already been paid? At the time you were struck, the General -de Trémont was dead. Perhaps it was he who was taking his vengeance on -you!” - -“The old fool! He had only to accede to your request when you were -inducing him to tell you the secret of his safe. Then nothing would have -happened!” - -“Hans, it all happened because you were in too great a hurry. You -destroyed all my combinations through your brutality. Had you merely -given me another week the poor fool would have given up to me his secret, -his honour, and everything else. Your intervention put him on his guard; -he recovered from his torpor, and all was lost!” - -“No reproaches, please. This mistake has cost me dearly enough. Now, how -do matters stand here?” - -“If you will leave me to act in my own way, I shall succeed.” - -“Good! Good! I, too, am preparing a slight diversion, which will be of -use. Besides, it will please Lichtenbach.” - -“What do you intend to do?” - -“Stir up the workmen at the manufactory.” - -“Then you intend to make a tool of socialism?” - -“Certainly. In it lies the future of society. The thoughtless, brutal -mob, under the sway of a few bold leaders, will obtain for themselves -universal dominion and rule.” - -“How long will this be your rule of conduct?” - -“Until everything in this execrably rotten society is destroyed.” - -“What will you put in its place?” - -“That is the secret of time. The revolution will tell it to us.” - -“I hate your opinions as well as those who maintain them.” - -“I know, I know,” interrupted Hans, with a loud laugh. “You are an -aristocrat, Sophia, and equality is not to your liking. You must have -luxury and superiority always around you. But how do you know that we -shall not give them to you? We aim at levelling, but it is the levelling -of those who rise above us. Have you ever seen a flock of sheep without a -shepherd and his dog to guide them? Then how could nations live without a -head? The great thing is to command. For this power must be snatched from -the hands of those who now have it, by means of certain privileges we -pretend to suppress because we do not enjoy them. Once power is in our -hands, torrents of blood will have to be shed before it can be taken from -us. Who would try to do so? Only revolutionists have any energy left, for -they alone are governed by passion. Revolution is the only means of -succeeding rapidly. To-day I am nothing; in the near future I intend to -be everything. To attain to my object I suppress everything in my way. -This is the meaning, expressed briefly, of all the burlesque rigmarole -uttered by these apostles of humanity. Their love and thoughts are -entirely for themselves. And that suffices.” - -Sophia laughed aloud. - -“They are mere brigands. You are another, but you must take care, Hans, -for those you dream of spoiling will not let themselves be robbed so -easily as you think. They have invented the police, a tolerably effective -safeguard. But what are you preparing for these poor Baradiers and -Graffs?” - -“For the past fortnight I have been exciting the workmen by means of my -agents. I am going to turn their works upside down. That will divert -their attention, for they are far too wide awake concerning what we are -doing. I do not know who is informing the sly rogues, but they seem to -understand Lichtenbach’s game with the greatest ease.” - -“Lichtenbach is such a coward! He has done something stupid again. I have -sent Cesare to him, quite as much to keep a watch over him as to pay -court to his daughter. But you cannot put courage into the heart of a -coward.” - -“It seems the shares of the Explosives Company had fallen so favourably, -thanks to the bear system undertaken by Lichtenbach, that the re-purchase -was on the point of being effected under the most favourable conditions. -Suddenly, without apparent reason, the brokers began to buy in enormous -quantities on the Stock Exchange, and the shares rose by leaps and -bounds. Lichtenbach held firm, but he had to deal with some one superior -to himself. The threatening ruin was checked. He, personally, has lost a -pile of money at the liquidation. And, from information received, it is -the Baradiers and Graffs who have formed a syndicate, along with a large -number of shareholders belonging to the threatened Company, with the -object of checking the too complete depreciation of the shares. There is -a rumour in business circles that, thanks to a new patent, you -understand, Sophia, the prosperity of the affair is assured for the -future. That is why I am here; direct competition against Lichtenbach -means a challenge to us. The war has begun; it must be maintained, and -the victory won. You all appear to me to be doing nothing but play here.” - -“Now, Hans, nothing rash this time,” said Sophia, firmly. “We are going -along very well; take care not to spoil everything again. You have only -one arm left to lose, my dear friend. Do not attempt too much.” - -Hans’ features contracted. - -“You are in a very gay humour, Sophia. I have only one arm, true; but it -is the better one of the two, make no mistake. Little chance for him who -comes within its reach!” - -“So you have come to settle down here?” - -“With your permission.” - -“You will be greatly in my way.” - -“Do not be anxious. I shall only be out-of-doors at night time. It is not -to my interest to be seen in the open daylight. Darkness suits me better. -You attend to your business, and I will attend to mine. All I ask of you -is a room up in the garret, where I may write and sleep during the -daytime. Milona alone will know that I am here. We can have entire -confidence in her.” - -“Entire, unless there is harm threatening to myself.” - -“Who would think of doing you any harm? Not I, at any rate, so long as we -have the same end in view.” - -They exchanged looks, and in their eyes could be read the memory of -long-standing complicity and collusion. Sophia was the first to avert her -glance, which she did with a sign of acquiescence. - -“Then follow me.” - -She opened the door, and showed the way to the man who appeared to her an -object of mingled dread and hate. - - - -CHAPTER III - - -BAUDOIN had just finished arranging everything in the summer-house where -Marcel lived, when he heard his name called by the concierge of the -works. On showing himself at the window, the concierge bowed with -deference, and said— - -“M. Baudoin, some one wishes to speak to you at the gate.” - -“Good; I will be down in a moment.” - -It was three o’clock in the afternoon, and, as Marcel had just set out in -the direction of the woods, Baudoin was alone in the house. He had just -placed the furniture in order, and now, after closing the window, he took -off his apron, and went out into the courtyard. On reaching the entrance -to the works, he saw standing in the street a ruddy-faced man, with -untrimmed beard, dressed like a workman, and wearing a pair of large -rough shoes. The concierge disdainfully pointed out the man, and said— - -“There he is!” - -At the same moment the man turned round, and, seeing Baudoin, came up -with smiling face and extended hands. Baudoin, astonished, watched him -draw near, ransacking his memory, but unable to call to mind if he had -ever seen him before. He said to himself, “Who the deuce can it be? Some -one who has made a mistake!” On coming close up to him, the man said— - -“Good day, M. Baudoin.” - -Then Baudoin recognized Laforêt. Taking him by the arm, he conducted him -along the garden wall in the direction of the main road; then, sure that -he would be out of the hearing of any one, he said—. - -“So you are here at last! What a perfect disguise! I had no idea who you -were till you spoke.” - -“We must not remain in the open air, for no one must see us together. Is -there no small inn where we can talk?” - -“Certainly; come with me to the Soleil d’Or. I know the landlord; he will -let us have a small room to ourselves, where we shall not be disturbed. -He is an old soldier, and to be relied upon.” - -“Very good!” - -Seated before a bottle of beer, the two men began their confidential -talk— - -“It was quite time you came,” said Baudoin. “There is something new at -last. M. Marcel’s solitude has been broken in upon by two strangers, who -pass as brother and sister, jabber away in Italian, and who, from the -very first week of their stay here, have found means of entering into -friendly relations with my master.” - -“What kind of a woman is she?” - -“Ah, unless I am mistaken, she is a very cunning woman, like the one who -called to see my poor General, and tricked him so cleverly.” - -“And the man?” - -“A foreigner. His first appearance. He calls himself a count, but he is -probably a mere fortune-hunter. A handsome-looking fellow, though I have -only seen him at a distance.” - -“And the sister?” - -“A splendid woman! Light-complexioned, with hair arranged in Madonna -fashion. The most innocent, harmless-looking creature imaginable! In deep -mourning, reminding one of ‘Mignon’ bewailing her country. What is her -object in coming here just at this time?” - -“We will do our best to throw some light on the matter if possible.” - -“I can do nothing, you understand, for I am too well known here. At the -very first sign of activity I gave, it would be equivalent to saying to -these people, ‘Look out, I am watching you.’ They would be at once on -their guard, and the game would be over! I have already hazarded a rather -risky examination of the house in which they live, and the surroundings. -But I cannot recommence without running the risk of being caught by M. -Marcel; and, if he questioned me, what reply could I give him? To warn -him of the toils being skilfully drawn around him would be to cut short -the intrigue now in preparation, and which, in all probability, will give -us an opportunity of laying hands on the villains we are on the look-out -for. And not to warn him is to leave him exposed to the greatest dangers! -I have been thinking of all this for some days, and the more I reflect, -the more I hesitate. Accordingly I was very anxious to see you, as you -can give me your advice in the first place, and afterwards we can -deliberate as to the best means of defending M. Marcel in case he comes -to be threatened.” - -“We must proceed methodically. Where is this house situated?” - -“Oh, it is very easy to recognize! It is half-way between Ars and the -woods of Bossicant, and is named the Villa de la Cavée. Impossible to -make a mistake, for it stands all alone.” - -“To-morrow morning I will take up my post at the door.” - -“How?” - -“That is my business. You will see how it is possible to keep a watch -over people without appearing to do so.” - -“But there is no house for more than half a mile around.” - -“That will make no difference. How does the lady live?” - -“Very quietly. She never leaves the house, except to take a walk in the -wood. Until lately, alone, or with her brother, but now with my master.” - -“Then he is bitten?” - -“Very badly.” - -“Good!” - -“And what, in your opinion, must we do as regards M. Marcel?” - -“Nothing.” - -“Not even warn him of his danger?” - -“Under no pretext. What danger does he run? I will keep watch over him -outside, and you will look after him inside. No one has any interest in -threatening him. If, as is very probable, according to usual tactics, a -pretty woman has been told off to try to catch him, all he risks is -falling in love with a worthless creature. Will it be the first time this -will happen to him? You do not think so, nor do I. Meanwhile, we will set -a few caltrops to try and catch our freebooters. Are you sure it is not -the same woman who came to Vanves?” - -“She has neither the same voice nor the same accent. But then, can one be -certain of anything when one has to deal with people of such cunning? As -for the man, I can answer that it is not he, for I saw the man at Vanves. -He was a head taller than this tom-tit of an Italian. His speech, too, -was very peculiar. Oh! I should at once recognize the man who killed my -General! And if ever he comes within my reach—” - -As he spoke his fists were tightly clenched, and a fierce glare shone in -his eyes. Laforêt calmed him by saying— - -“Do not get angry! Especially in the matter now engaging our attention; -we must keep cool heads. Suppose you suddenly found yourself in front of -this man, what would you do?” - -“I would seize him by the throat, and he should not escape, that I would -swear to before God!” - -“What folly! Your duty would be to pretend not to recognize him. You -could follow him, find out where he lives, and keep a watch over him, so -that we might capture both himself and his accomplices. My dear Baudoin, -let us agree at once to some such course beforehand. For if we act in too -sentimental a fashion, we shall fail utterly.” - -Baudoin sighed— - -“You are right; still, it would be very hard for me to keep my fingers -away from the rascal’s skin! But then, you have had experience; I will -obey you.” - -“Well, then, let us find some means of correspondence. For the future we -must not be seen to have any communications with one another. See here; -when I have anything to say to you I will go to the entrance door of the -works, and write on the top of the gate on the left side the day and hour -of the rendezvous in red pencil. For instance: ‘Tuesday, 4 o’clock.’ Then -you will arrange to come round to this inn, where you will find me. If -you wish to speak to me you will do the same on the other pillar on the -right of the gate. I shall pass by every morning and evening to see if -the rendezvous has to take place that evening or not.” - -“Very good.” - -“Then good-bye for the moment. When we leave here we no longer know one -another. I will go now, and leave you to pay. Good luck, and keep cool!” - -“I will, if possible.” - -At that very hour Marcel was walking to and fro in the woods with Madame -Vignola. The small terrier was running about along the path, which was so -narrow that the young man and his fair companion were brought into close -proximity to avoid the shooting branches which invaded the way. A feeling -of languor seemed to emanate from the earth, gently warmed by the early -spring sun. On reaching the edge of the plateau they halted by a rocky -ledge overshadowed by large ash-trees. - -The whole valley of Ars lay before them. The tile roofs of the works, the -large chimney-steeple with its plume of black smoke, and the church and -houses capriciously grouped, formed a smiling and delightful picture. The -young woman pointed out with the end of her parasol the different parts -of the panorama, and Marcel named all the points of interest visible. It -was a kind of taking possession of the country under the auspices of -Marcel. He said to her, with a smile— - -“You are asking questions, as though you intended to settle down in these -parts.” - -“It is a custom of mine,” she said. “I like to know where I am, and to -make inquiries about the district. Things have no meaning or interest for -me unless I know their names and purposes. For instance, you point out to -me down there a railway line which passes into the plain. To the fact -that it is a railway I am absolutely indifferent; you add, it is the line -running from Troyes to the frontier, _viâ_ Belfort. Immediately my mind -begins to work, and the precise representation given by the thing -attaches my mind to the thing itself. As you see, I am of anything but a -poetic nature.” - -“You appear to me to have an extraordinary intelligence.” - -“And one which is not of a very feminine nature, now confess.” - -“True, I find you anything but silly or fickle in disposition. But I give -you credit for a good quality.” - -“In any case, confess that it is not a graceful one.” - -“Oh! You have so many others!” - -“I did not ask you for a compliment.” - -“You must accept it now, all the same.” - -She looked at him with an air of simple content, then shook her head. - -“That is not right of you; you have broken our agreement. It was -understood between us that you should treat me as a companion, in return -for which I would allow you to accompany me in my walks, and call on me -unceremoniously. But you are a Frenchman, and it is impossible for you to -give up all pretensions to gallantry.” - -“Would an Italian have stayed so long in your company without telling you -how charming you are?” - -“Yes, if I had forbidden him to speak of such things. But he would have -thought the more!” - -“How can you tell?” said Marcel, eagerly. “Do you think I am indifferent -because, obeying you too well, I have addressed to you nothing but simple -expressions of cold courtesy? Do not judge my feelings by my words; they -are very different from one another.” - -“You have only known me for a week.” - -“Is a longer time needed to love for ever?” - -“For ever! What an engagement to make! And so quickly decided on!” - -“And so easy to keep when one first sees and afterwards comes to know -you!” - -“And which can have no result, as I must soon leave, and go away far -from—” - -“What need is there for you to follow out plans formed during the early -days of sadness and solitude? Is it wise to decide for a whole lifetime -in a single moment at your age, and with such a store of future -compensations to draw upon? At the age of twenty-four to think that -everything is lost, because destiny has separated you from a husband old -enough to have been your father? Your life has only just begun, at the -very time you think it is all over.” - -“Yes, my brother has often said the same thing to me. That is the usual -way of looking at things. New tenderness to replace a dying affection. -But then, how wretched to lend one’s self to such social arrangements, -and undergo such an unexpected fate! And yet a heart cannot be swept out -like a room for new tenants. The memories of the one who occupied it -cannot be so speedily effaced; they remain. And is it not a kind of -profanation for a delicate soul to allow itself to cherish a new -affection, when it imagined the light had vanished for ever?” - -“I will reply in your own words: ‘For ever! What an engagement to make! -And so lightly decided on!’ Can you be sure of keeping it? Let the world -wag along. Your decision will not alter anything. There is nothing -definite in this world, not even the sincerest grief.” - -She stood there silent for some time with downcast eyes. Her companion -admired the graceful curves of her supple form, and the youthful grace -that appeared on the beautiful countenance. She seemed scarcely twenty -years of age. Her cheeks had all the appearance of a tempting and savoury -fruit, Finally she continued, with a sigh— - -“If I listened to your protestations, what trouble should I be preparing -for myself in the future? You are not dependent on yourself, as I am, for -I have only a brother, though, after all, he is very indulgent towards -me. You have a family which will claim you. When you leave this district -where will you go?” - -“I shall return to Paris, where I generally live. What prevents you -taking up your abode there also? Your interests are in Italy? What then? -Your brother will look after them, and you will have nothing to do but -consider your own happiness.” - -“Paris frightens me. That immense stir and commotion troubles me, and I -imagine it would be impossible to live there in calm and quiet.” - -“What a mistake you make! The excitement of Paris life is very deceptive; -it is only the surface that is troubled. Its depths, as in those of the -sea, are quiet and peaceful, and the storms on the surface never disturb -them. In Paris itself are peaceful corners, filled with verdure, light, -and flowers, where a happy and gentle life may be passed. We would find -such a spot for you, chosen with tenderest care, and there you would -learn to spend your time free from melancholy and feverish anxiety. Far -from noise and distraction of every kind, within easy reach of the utmost -refinements of taste and intellectual pleasures, you will find out the -most precious thing in the world: a quiet home, embellished by a love at -once sincere and tender.” - -“That is a very seductive picture you have drawn, and you know how to -present it in the best light. Is there a touch of the fairy about you? -Are you in possession of an enchanter’s wand, to be able thus to dispose -of the destiny of others? You summon up characters and scenes to suit -your fancy. Were I to listen to you, would you be free to realize your -programme? To me you appear to be building castles in the air. What would -your parents and friends say of this arrangement?” - -“Oh! they would accept it, there is not the slightest doubt of that. If -you only knew how fond they are of me, and how joyfully they would -welcome anything giving proof of moderation and wisdom on my part! My -father, though rough to outward appearance, is the finest man in the -world. He is anxious about my doings, only because of his affection for -me, and his anxiety regarding my future welfare. He never gave the least -sign of egoism, even when we quarrelled. His own pleasure and peace of -mind, even, were subordinated to my interests. Only when he saw that some -action of mine which he judged harmful—would injure me in some way, did -his anger burst forth against me. He loves me so well that, were he -certain my happiness might be assured under honourable conditions, he -would sacrifice his own without the slightest hesitation. As for my -mother, she is the very embodiment of virtue and goodness.” - -She bit her lips, and answered with sudden harshness, as though tired of -listening to this wealth of praise. - -“Very fine sentiments, indeed! Then you are not a dutiful son if you have -not been in perfect accord with such loving parents.” - -“I have not been undutiful, though not always reasonable.” - -“Then what has been lacking to make you so?” - -“A serious love.” - -Raising a delicate finger, with threatening gesture, to Marcel, she said— - -“I am afraid you are anything but a model of virtue!” - -“Do not judge me ill for having spoken so frankly. That would be neither -benevolent or just. For, really, you would form a false idea of me.” - -She continued, gaily— - -“Come! I see that you are quite a model, after all!” - -“Now, you are joking! How changing is your mood! How can one hope to get -the better of you?” - -“Ah! my dear sir, did you think that a single word or look would suffice -to seduce me? If so, I am more rebellious than you imagined. Did you -suppose that the influence of spring, amid this charming scenery, an -inactive solitude, and the length of the evenings, joined to your own -particular qualities, would have induced me to fall down at your feet? -You are going rather too fast. My melancholy mood cannot accommodate -itself to such a rapid change! There, now, don’t look so down-hearted; I -am speaking to you very gently. Had I wished I might have assumed an -offended attitude, for, after all, you offer me your heart without taking -the slightest precaution. Still, in this out-of-the-way place one cannot -help feeling nearer the simplicity of nature. It is easy to return to -habits and manners that are almost primitive, even without troubling -concerning forms and customs, and saying what one really thinks and -feels. I will forgive you, on condition you do not recommence.” - -Astonished at hearing the young woman speak in such a vivacious tone of -raillery, Marcel wondered if she were really the same sorrowful -languishing widow whose tender melodies were so often broken by sobs. Her -face sparkled with a malicious harshness, and those caressing eyes of -hers belied the coldness of her words. She offered so irritating a -mixture of decency and profligacy, of modesty and sensuality, that Marcel -no longer knew what to think. Suddenly the church-bell of Ars began to -toll the evening Angelus, changing the trend of their thoughts. The young -woman suddenly stood upright, exclaiming— - -“Six o’clock already! How time passes! They will wonder what has become -of me.” - -“But you are quite alone!” - -“My servant—” - -“That extraordinary creature you call Milo.” - -“Do not speak ill of her; she likes you.” - -“Thanks for the favour!” - -“Oh! she is not fond of everybody. With you, however, she is like my dog, -which licks your hand; he does not treat everybody the same way!” - -“Yes, I may charm the servant and the dog, but the mistress disdains me.” - -“Oh! the mistress. She is the one who orders, and the others obey.” - -“Then I will obey.” - -Giving him a charming smile, she summoned to her the little terrier, -which was hid among the heather, and, walking slowly by Marcel’s side, -returned in the direction of the villa. On approaching the gate they saw -a man engaged in arranging on the road a pile of stones discharged from a -tumbrel that very morning. A large sledge-hammer lay near his vest under -a straw covering. Politely raising his cap to the two passers-by, and -without appearing to bestow any further heed on them, he continued his -task. Madame Vignola seemed vexed at this installation so near her home. -She looked carefully at the man, and, as soon as the garden gate was -closed, asked— - -“What does that person intend to do there?” - -“He seems to be engaged in breaking stones,” said Marcel. “Most likely a -journeyman who will be working on the road for some time.” - -“Will he stay here long?” - -“A few days, perhaps.” - -“He has a villainous-looking face. Is there nothing to fear from such -people?” - -“Nothing whatever, except the sound of their hammers breaking the stones. -But you will not hear that from the house.” - -Madame Vignola did not appear to be quite satisfied by what Marcel said. -A look of anxiety shaded her brow. - -“If the presence of this poor fellow disturbs you so much,” said the -young man, “would you like me to request the authorities to have him -removed? He will be sent to work a few hundred yards away. I have -sufficient influence to obtain this change.” - -“Do nothing of the kind. I shall get accustomed to his presence. After -all, he has his living to earn.” - -She held out her hand to Marcel, with a smile. Holding it for a moment -within his own, he said, softly—“You are not angry with me?” - -“No.” - -“You will allow me to return to-morrow?” - -“Yes, I should like you to do so.” - -“And you will allow me to tell you that I love you?” - -“If it gives you pleasure to do so.” - -They said nothing more; night was falling, and a gentle obscurity was -overshadowing all nature. Still, they were less alone than on the plain -of Bossicant, and it was, perhaps, this very fact which rendered them -more audacious. Marcel drew near to himself the young woman, without the -slightest resistance on her part. The tissue of her black dress came in -contact with Marcel’s shoulder. A kind of fever seized him, and for a -moment he lost all notion of the surrounding world. - -A cry of pain, and an effort of resistance, recalled him to himself. He -saw Anetta fleeing towards the house. On the threshold she halted, looked -at him for a moment, as though trying to find something to say to him. He -took a step forward, but she stopped him with a gesture. Placing his -fingers to his lips, he sent a kiss to the enchantress who had so -completely gained possession of his heart, and took his departure. - -A disagreeable surprise awaited him on his arrival at the works. The -gates, usually open, were now closed, and small knots of men were -collected in the street. They removed as he approached, only to form -again a little further distant. What the manager had told him a few days -previously concerning the evil dispositions of the workmen returned to -his mind. In his eagerness to overcome his love difficulties he had -forgotten business worries. Going up to the concierge, he asked— - -“What is the matter here? Why are the gates closed? What is the meaning -of all these people in the streets?” - -“Ah! M. Marcel, there are troubles with the workmen. They went on strike -at three o’clock to-day, and are scattered about in the cafés and inns, -along with the strikers from the Troyes works, who have turned their -heads.” - -“No damage has been done?” - -“No, M. Marcel. But the manager has been looking for you everywhere.” - -“I will go at once and speak to him.” - -He made his way towards the office. Through the closed shutters a ray of -light announced the presence of M. Cardez in his study. Marcel entered. -The manager was seated before his desk writing. On seeing the son of his -master he rose at once, and, without waiting to be questioned, began— - -“Well! what did I tell you, M. Baradier? Here they are in open revolt! -And that without the slightest plausible reason! Simply to do as their -comrades! Their heads have been turned by the leaders of the strike. I -have reasoned and talked gently to them, but all in vain; they are -nothing but machines! Ah! you are interested in the workers, now you will -learn to know them!” - -“What measures have you taken?” - -“I have closed the doors, so that no one may enter without our -permission, or without incurring a penal responsibility. Now I am -expecting a delegation of the workmen.” - -“Under what pretext have they ceased work?” - -“They demand the suppression of sweeping and lighting, the supply of -needles at a lower price.” - -“Is the demand a just one?” - -“It is something quite new.” - -“But is it just?” - -“_Mon Dieu_! Concessions might, doubtless, be granted, but then others -would immediately be made. Their grievances would never come to an end. -We are only at the beginning. Is it wise to yield all at once?” - -“Why not give them the impression that we wish them well?” - -“They would look upon it as a sign of weakness.” - -Marcel remained pensive. - -“So the weavers of Troyes are on strike, and are inciting our workmen to -follow their example?” - -“They were at Sainte-Savine yesterday, and to-day they are at Ars. They -made sufficient noise; you must have been very busy not to have heard -them.” - -“I was away from home,” said Marcel, embarrassed. - -“All the same had you been here; that would have made no difference; -their plan of action is fixed. They would have insulted you, as they did -me, that is all.” - -“Insulted?” exclaimed Marcel. - -“Listen.” - -A vague sound was heard breaking the silence of the night. The harsh -untrained voices of the mob were heard singing a kind of workmen’s -Marseillaise— - - “Les patrons, les damnés patrons, - Un beau matin, nous les verrons - Accrochés au bout d’une branche! - En se sentant morts a moitié, - C’est alors qu’ils crieront pitié! - Mais nous leur repondrons: Dimanche! - Retroussez vos manches, luron! - Bientôt va commencer la danse. - Ayons la victoire, ou mourons - Pour notre indépendance! - Ayons la victoire, ou mourons - Pour notre indépendance!” - -A shrill clamour, mingled with the shrieks of women and children, -followed this threatening refrain; then came a formidable hooting— - -“Down with Cardez! Down with the manager! To the gallows with him!” - -“Do you hear them?” said Cardez. “The gallows, indeed! And what have I -done to them? Simply exact from them a conscientious amount of work, and -respect for the regulations. The gallows! If they think they can frighten -me with their threats they are mistaken. An old soldier like myself -cannot be intimidated so easily. Besides, these are nothing but idle -cries; no deeds will follow!” - -“Have you written to my father and uncle?” asked Marcel. - -“I have telephoned to them. They must, by this time, have entered into -relations with the prefect to insure the protection of the works, and -respect for the rights of labour. But for that troops will be needed, and -no one can tell how far things will go with people of the character of -these Champagne fools. We have a loyal police at Ars, who are well known -and respected. I think that ought to be sufficient.” - -“Are you afraid of a conflict?” - -“I am afraid of nothing, but I am obliged to take every precaution. Our -Ars workmen, as I said, are more noisy than evil-intentioned. But there -are strangers who have incited them to action, and it is with them that -we shall have to deal.” - -“A mob is a brute force, both blind and deaf. You cannot undeceive a -hundred men. If they all clamour aloud at once, how can any possible -understanding be reached?” - -“That is what leaders of strikes rely upon! Tumult and violence. -To-morrow I shall receive a delegation of workmen, with whom, I hope, it -will be possible to come to reasonable terms.” - -“I will help you.” - -“If you wish.” - -“Will there be any hostile manifestation this evening?” - -“No. Not before to-morrow.” - -“Then I will go and dine. Good night.” - -Baudoin was waiting for him. In serving his meal the devoted servant, to -whom Marcel permitted a certain amount of familiarity, lingered near the -table instead of returning to the kitchen. He looked carefully at his -master, and seemed to wish to read his secret impressions on his face. -Never had the young man been so silent and preoccupied as during the past -few days. In solitude he lived over again the hours he had spent in the -company of the beautiful Italian, and never appeared tired of thinking -about her. Not a word did he say, but his countenance was illumined by an -inner radiance. Still, in spite of his absentmindedness, Baudoin’s -persistence in standing there before him, like a note of interrogation, -struck Marcel at last. Looking at him for a moment, he said— - -“What is the matter with you, this evening, Baudoin? You seem quite -agitated.” - -“One might be so with less cause. You are aware, sir, that the employees -have assumed a very threatening attitude?” - -“Well! Are you afraid?” - -“No, indeed, sir, not for myself, at any rate!” - -“For whom, then?” - -“For yourself, sir. When I left Paris M. Baradier gave me precise orders -to protect you from all harm. If anything were to happen I should not -know what to do. That is what agitates me, as you say, sir.” - -“There is nothing to do, Baudoin, except wait.” - -“I beg your pardon, sir, there is something far preferable to that—that -is, to take the first train back to Paris.” - -“And leave my father’s works exposed to the violence of his workmen?” - -“M. Baradier’s works are doubtless very precious, but not so precious as -his son.” - -“Do not be uneasy, Baudoin; no one will harm either the son or the works. -The deuce! Are there no laws in existence? The people of Ars are not -savages.” - -“Neither are the people of Troyes, nor those of Sainte-Savine, savages, -and yet, this very morning, they destroyed everything at the works of -Messrs. Tirot and Malapeyre.” - -“Hard masters!” - -“The question is not whether they are hard or lenient masters, but simply -whether they are masters at all. Your presence here, sir, is not -absolutely necessary. It would be better if you would go and spend a week -in Paris.” - -“They would say that I had run away. And old Cardez, who is none too fond -of me, will say that I am good for nothing except making chemical -experiments! That, when the works are to be defended, I am no longer to -be found. No, no! Chance has brought me here, and chance will keep me. I -shall even try to arrange everything for the general good.” - -“Then you will take all necessary precautions, sir?” - -“What precautions?” - -“A good revolver on your person, in the first place.” - -“What an idea! What would be the use of a revolver, Baudoin? If I have to -deal with a crowd of men, I could not attempt to defend myself. With one -or two men only, I shall run no danger.” - -“At any rate, if you have anything important here, sir, it might be -useful to put it in safety.” - -They looked at one another in silence. Marcel had understood what the -General’s servant meant. He became very serious. - -“You allude to the powders, I suppose, Baudoin?” - -“Yes, sir, I am aware that you possess the formulæ. Can nothing be stolen -which would place the one who should be audacious enough to attempt the -_coup_, in possession of the secret?” - -“The powders, even the formulæ might be stolen, Baudoin, without the -secret being discovered. There is a peculiar trick of manipulation the -General revealed to me, which alone constitutes the real value of the -discovery.” - -“All the same, it was to obtain possession of the formulæ that my master -was killed.” - -“No, Baudoin, he was killed because he refused to tell the proportions of -the ingredients. It was madness at finding himself deceived that inspired -the murderer’s arm. He imagined he could substitute his own for the -genius of the inventor, and find out the mixtures himself. He wished to -storm the mystery and brutalize science. It was then the General was -struck.” - -“Is it not possible he may try again?” - -“Is he even alive? Come, Baudoin, are you attempting to discover some -relation, however far-fetched, between these disturbances, which are -putting the whole district in commotion, and this powder affair?” - -“I know nothing; but I am on my guard against everything that appears of -a suspicious nature. There are strangers in the works. It is they who -lead the strikers. Strangers were also in the powder affair. _Mon Dieu_! -I may be stupid, sir, but I would give a great deal to be safe back in -Paris with you.” - -“You are very imaginative, Baudoin.” - -“Well, then, as I see you are determined to pay no attention to what I -say, I should be glad, sir, if you would give me the key of the -laboratory. I will keep watch by day, and sleep there by night. In that -way I shall be more completely at ease.” - -“Very well, Baudoin. You will find the key in my room, over the -mantelpiece. If that will restore your peace of mind, it is easy enough.” - -“That will not restore my peace of mind entirely, sir; but, at any rate, -it will give me a certain amount of satisfaction.” - -The dinner being now at an end, Marcel went out for a stroll in the -garden and along the river bank. It was a cool evening, and the stars -shone forth in undimmed brilliancy. At times a dull, rumbling sound was -heard coming from the inns and cafés of the town, where the workmen were -celebrating the strike in numerous bumpers. A feeling of sadness came -over Marcel at the thought of the women and children awaiting in their -poor dwellings the return of the father for the evening meal, whilst the -latter, under the persuasion of raillery or threats, lingered before the -table covered with glasses, and drinking the most poisonous and maddening -liquors imaginable. What wretchedness would result from this interruption -of work! The paltry savings of the thrifty would vanish, the debts of the -improvident would increase. And the net result of all this tumult and -agitation, excited by hypocritical leaders, would be nothing but severity -and rancour. - -Turning aside his thoughts from these evils, to which he could see no -remedy, he directed them to the Villa de la Cavée. There, at the same -time as himself, Anetta would be walking to and fro in the garden. He -pictured her passing down the winding alley in dreamy solitude. What -could she be thinking of, if not of himself; whose heart was filled with -her memory? Were they not united in soul, and was not that delicious kiss -a proof of her affection. A thrill of pleasure came over him in the -silence of the night, and he thought to himself, “Suppose I were to pay -her a visit now? She does not expect me, true. What would she think of my -eagerness to see her again? Would not the untimely hour, and the -isolation she is in, make her consider my visit offensive? The more -defenceless she is, ought I not the more to respect her? Ah! She loves -me, I feel it. Am I on the point of spoiling by my rashness all the -happiness the future has in store for me?” - -In his tenderness Marcel was anxiously solicitous of sparing the -susceptibilities of her who had set the terrible trap in which he was -hopelessly caught. Had he been able to penetrate into the Villa de la -Cavée, and reach the salon unperceived, he would have heard Sophia and -her Dalmatian servant exchanging their impressions; whilst, seated -astraddle on a chair, the terrible Hans was listening to them, smoking -the while, and with an expression of ironical contempt on his face. - -“After all, madame, what will you do with this poor young man when you -have obtained from him what you want?” - -“Oh, that will not trouble me! He is very agreeable and charming, and -will doubtless bewail my departure. But he has not yet reached the point -I wish to bring him to.” - -“What we chemists call the incandescence point,” said Hans, harshly. “We -know what that is, Sophia, when you have a hand in the matter. For young -Zypiatine it was the moment when, in his madness, he handed over the -secrets concerning the concentration on the frontiers of Afghanistan; for -poor Stenheim, the hour when he stole from the War Office the plan of -defence of Herzegovina, and for our friend, the handsome Cesare -Agostini—” - -“Don’t speak of Cesare,” interrupted the young woman, frowning. - -“Why not, indeed? The _coup_ he effected was a very fine one. Were he to -attempt to cross the Italian frontier I believe he would be sent to rot -in the darkest fortress of Sardinia. For he is not one of those whom they -risk passing judgment on, even in private; he knows rather too much. -Certainly, this fair-complexioned young fellow from Champagne you are now -preparing to shear, is a pascal lamb compared with the dangerous -characters you have hitherto led to their ruin without the slightest -compunction. All the same, you must beware, Sophia; I know you well. You -are not quite at your ease just now, you have become silent and -dreamy—preoccupied, in fact; not a good sign at all! Are you on the point -of doing something stupid?” - -Sophia shuddered. Fixing her eyes full on Hans, she asked suddenly— - -“What do you mean?” - -“Ah, ah! Now you are interested. I am not surprised. You are too -intelligent to form any illusions regarding yourself. You must have -noticed that something abnormal is taking place in your mind. The other -day there was something in your way of saying that no harm whatever -should come to the young Baradier, which gave me serious grounds for -reflection. This very evening, on returning home, I saw you in a state of -languor anything but natural to so practical a woman as you are. Usually, -after playing a _rôle_, you resume your ordinary expression and clear -directness of speech, as though, after removing a mask, you had become -your own self once more. This time it is not the same. You are under the -sway of external influences. In short, to sum up, you seem to me as -though about to fall in love with this young Baradier!” - -“I!” exclaimed Sophia, almost angrily. - -“Yes, you, Sophia, Baroness Grodsko, known here under the name of Madame -Vignola. Now listen, my dear, such an occurrence would be an out-and-out -act of stupidity!” - -“You are mad, Hans!” - -“I shall only be too glad if I am mistaken. But I have a very keen -intuition! We all have our little weaknesses, Sophia, and I should not -wonder in the least if this young man pleased you. But I should be very -much astonished if you thought of attaching yourself really to him, for -nothing would be more dangerous to us, or to him, or even to yourself. If -you could keep the young Marcel from the works for a short time I will -not deny that such a course would serve my purpose. But no passion, -remember, just a passing fancy. Keep him in the villa just long enough to -enable us to execute our plans. That is how I understand things.” - -“As I, also,” said the young woman, coldly. - -“Very good. If you can keep a cool head and heart, there is nothing to -fear and everything to hope for. You hear that, Milo. If your mistress -shows any inclination to go astray, you will be there to remind her of -her engagements.” - -“My duty is to obey her,” said Milona, with scowling look, “and not to -order. As for you, never presume to order me to do anything.” - -“Why not, if you please, my young savage?” - -“Because a girl like myself is willing to give up her liberty for the -sake of one she loves, but she will not serve one she detests.” - -“That means simply that we are not friends, my little one,” jeered Hans, -with a loud laugh. “As you please; I will not force you to like me.” - -Milona gave him a steady look, and shrugged her shoulders, pronouncing a -few words in an uncouth tongue. She then left the room. - -“What did she say in that Romany tongue of hers?” - -“She said, ‘Son of a she-wolf, may you die of a burning fever without any -one at hand to give you a glass of water.’” - -“Many thanks for her gracious wishes. Some day my stick shall make the -acquaintance of your back, charming creature.” - -“Do not think of such a thing, Hans, she would repay you with -dagger-blows!” - -“What delightful relations! But you know well that I am afraid of no one. -Now let us speak of something more serious. Have you heard from Cesare?” - -“He writes to say that he is back from London, where business matters are -progressing well. As you are aware, our English friends are very -practical. They have launched a company with a capital of fifty million -francs. They will need a whole territory for their money, and they will -certainly succeed.” - -“Assuredly. When one’s calculations are based on human folly and -incredulity, failure is impossible. That is why business matters possess -so little interest.” - -“At the bottom, you have no esteem for anything but force and might. Your -temperament is that of a _condottiere_ of the fourteenth century. You -have been let loose in this coward society of ours, there is no scope for -your talents in such a restricted civilization as the present. Come, -Hans, since we are speaking to one another to-night, with apparent -frankness, who are you, and where do you come from? It is five years -since I first met you, and yet I know you no better than I did the first -day. We have mutual interests, and yet I have no hold on you. You are -generally called Hans, but sometimes Fichter; although you look like a -German, you can speak both Russian and Spanish admirably. I have known -you to accomplish the most abominable actions, and yet you are never -cruel without necessity. You attempt to obtain possession of huge sums of -money, though your style of living is anything but extravagant. Where do -all your resources go to? What end have you in view? What is this -mysterious task you are engaged on, for the little you accomplish with us -is only a small part of your work? You have trusty companions who do not -belong to us. Suddenly you disappear, to accomplish some work or other we -know nothing about. I sometimes suspect that we are merely tools in your -hands, and are collaborating, without the faintest suspicion of it, in -the execution of some far-reaching plan which embraces the whole of -humanity. At times, I wonder if you are not the visible head of some -enormous and terrible international federation, which, at a given moment, -and everywhere at the same time, will set the revolution aflame.” - -Hans smiled, shook his head approvingly, and then said in railing tones— - -“Women are far better than men, after all, for being possessed of -delicate tact and a clear perception of things. Ah! So you have wondered -who I really was, Sophia? Well, well! my dear, you are more inquisitive -than either Lichtenbach or Agostini, without speaking of the rest, for -not one of them ever attempted to find out what I was unwilling to show. -Good! Sophia, good! I am interested in you, my child, for you are no -fool.” - -Rising, he took the young woman by the waist, drew her to himself, and -gave her a friendly kiss on the forehead. Then, looking at her -steadfastly as though to force his words to enter her brain, he said— - -“If you attempt to make a psychological study of me you will lose your -time, Sophia. Know that I am Hans Fichter to you, and shall never be any -other. All the same, do not forget that I am not really Hans Fichter. You -have sought my personality with amusing clear-sightedness, but you will -never discover it, and that is very lucky for you, otherwise you would -not survive your discovery a single moment. Yes, my child, I have too -many people around me, interested in my freedom of action, for any one, -who thought of playing the spy on me, to be permitted to live. Do not -imagine, however, that I am a kind of evil genius, a master of rebel -souls, or the arbiter of future social transformations. If you did you -would be on the wrong track. My power is great, but not sovereign. I am -one of the numerous soldiers of a cause which will triumph in time, and I -bow to no master!” - -“Hans!” exclaimed Sophia; “you speak like the nihilists of my own -country. I knew a young student, named Sewenikof, who propagated nihilist -literature among the Moujiks in Moscow, and spoke in almost the same -tones as you are using now. One day he disappeared.” - -“Yes, my child, as you will disappear if you repeat a single word, -however seemingly simple and inoffensive, of what I have just said. Your -Sewenikof, whom I have never met, but whom I know, after all, as though I -saw him, was merely an instigator, an agent who has been suppressed. That -kind of thing happens every day. Be careful, Sophia. I am very fond of -you, and should be sorry if any trouble befell you. All the same, I -should be unable to do anything. Now it is time to say good night.” - -“You are going to bed?” - -“No. I have a rendezvous with my men at Ars. Have you not heard them -shouting themselves hoarse all day long, fools as they are? What a pack -of simpletons! These people have no idea that they are hurling threats -and imprecations simply because such a course suits my convenience.” - -“Be prudent yourself, Hans.” - -“Ah! This is nothing more than child’s play for me!” - -Lighting a cigar, he took his leave. The garden was dark. He proceeded, -without the slightest noise, along the edge of the turf; gliding along -like a shadow. On reaching the gate he opened it noiselessly, and -remained there a moment against the wood panel, so as not to be noticed -from the road. Then he looked all around, as though possessed of the -faculty of seeing in the darkness. After a moment’s hesitation he set out -in the direction of Ars. It would have been impossible for any one coming -behind him to believe that he had come from the garden of the villa. - -When he had advanced a hundred yards the branches of a bush silently -separated on the opposite side of the road, and another man, in his turn, -appeared. He was the stone-breaker who had been working for the past few -days at the Cavée. Walking along in step with Hans, he, too, made his way -towards the town. - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -ON leaving Marcel, Baudoin, after obtaining permission to keep watch over -the laboratory, had gone out on to the main road. It was dark. Taking his -pipe, he filled it with tobacco, then halting near the pillar which -served for Laforêt’s correspondence, he struck a match. By the light he -examined the plaster, and discovered the following inscription in red -pencil, “This evening. Nine.” The old soldier lit his pipe, looked at his -watch, and muttered to himself— - -“Nine o’clock to-night. At last! I will go and wait for him.” - -He made his way towards the inn, which was no longer dark and silent as -usual. A vivid light shone through the glass on the door, and a rumbling -sound arose from the bar. Baudoin drew near one of the windows on the -ground floor, and listened through the shutters. A voice, as of some one -delivering a discourse, could be heard, interspersed from time to time -with shouts and exclamations. At one time it sounded louder and more -violent, and a thunder of applause rang through the room, as though all -the tables had been struck at one and the same time by the robust fists -of the men present. - -“The deuce!” said Baudoin; “this place does not seem very safe for one -belonging to the master’s household. The strikers have met at the Soleil -d’Or, and they appear to be paying favourable attention to one of their -usual haranguers.” - -Making the round of the house, he reached the door of the courtyard, and -looked around for an entrance into the kitchen, where he expected to find -his friend the innkeeper. A hand was placed on his shoulder. Turning -round, he recognized Laforêt, who had arrived, noiselessly, and was -standing by his side. - -“I was watching you,” said the agent. “The place is full. I was convinced -you would enter this way. We must not stay in the middle of the -courtyard. Many eyes to-night are on the watch around us.” - -“Where shall we go?” - -“Come along into my room.” - -An outer staircase led to a wood corridor, running along the first floor, -and continued right to the top story. It was right under the roof that -Laforêt had taken a room, the wretchedest in the whole establishment, and -quite in accordance with the condition of a poor labourer. Opening his -door, he signed to Baudoin to take a seat on the bed; then, raising the -skylight, he looked along the roof to make sure no one was watching. -Dropping the iron sash, he said in low tones— - -“Speak close to my ear. There are rooms on either side of this. The -partitions are very thin, and it is possible to hear everything that is -said.” - -“What have you summoned me for?” whispered Baudoin. - -“Because I have news from the Cavée. The lady is no longer alone. There -is a man in the house.” - -“What kind of a man? A dark, handsome young fellow, who speaks Italian?” - -“No; tall, strong-looking, and light-complexioned, with a thick beard, -and speaking with a kind of German accent.” - -Baudoin’s eyes shone. He vigorously grasped Laforêt’s hand, and, in -trembling tones, asked— - -“Did you see him?” - -“Yes, as distinctly as I see you.” - -“Had he both arms?” - -“He has both arms.” - -Baudoin gave a sigh of disappointment. - -“Then it is not he! Ah! For a moment I hoped—” - -“That it was the man of Vanves? Could you recognize him if he were shown -to you?” - -“Perhaps not, for I never saw him except in the dark, but if I heard him -speak, yes, without the slightest doubt, I should recognize his voice -from among a thousand.” - -“Very well! I hope I shall be able to give you satisfaction; the man is -here.” - -“In the inn?” - -“In a room on the first floor with three others, the ringleaders, who -were summoned from the common room when he arrived. He himself has no -relations with the mass of the workmen; he communicates only with the -staff. I shadowed him from the villa to this very spot. The cunning -rascal forced me to keep my wits about me. He changed direction three -times, and twice tried to throw me on a false scent. One would have -thought he felt me close at his heels, though I followed him with the -utmost precaution. He went to the Café de la Gare, where he drank a -bitter; then he left by the servants’ door, after entering by the front. -I suspected the trick, so I went round to the back. Then he went to the -station itself, crossed the waiting-room, and reached the platform. He -walked the whole length, right on to the storeroom; there he found an -open gate, through which he entered the town, and came straight to the -Soleil d’Or. At this very moment he is beneath us, holding a conference -with his confederates.” - -“How will you manage to give me an opportunity of hearing him?” whispered -Baudoin. - -“You will see shortly. But, first of all, what does the rascal want at -the Villa de la Cavée?” - -“Well, you see, it has reference to M. Marcel, that I would swear to. -There is trouble in the air. Why are the works in this condition when -there has never, hitherto, been the slightest difference between the -kindest of masters and the best-treated of workmen? The same thing is at -the bottom of it all. When I summoned you I knew what I was doing. This -Italian is here for M. Marcel, and so is this new arrival, and everything -has been planned by the villains who killed the General!” - -“Well! We will throw some light on the matter. If I can succeed in laying -hands on this gang the Minister of War will be delighted. After all, -Baudoin, if you are not mistaken, this affair is simply the result of the -attempt at Vanves. We have to deal with a whole company, and an -experienced one, too, which has already had a crow to pick with us. -Follow me.” - -Raising the sash, he placed one foot on a chair, and mounted on to the -roof. Baudoin imitated him. A large leaden pipe surrounded the building. -This they followed until they reached the front, overlooking the -courtyard twenty feet below. Laforêt pointed out to his companion a small -zinc roof below the first floor. It was the covering of a shed, used as a -saddle-room. - -“Now, then, our friends are in the room where you see that lighted window -above this roof. If you can get there unnoticed, and without making the -slightest noise, you may see from the roof into the interior; certainly -you could hear.” - -Baudoin leaned over into the courtyard, looking for some means of -descending. - -“How can I get there? Twenty feet and no ladder.” - -Laforêt pointed to something projecting from the angle of the wall. - -“That is a cast-iron pipe used for the drains.” - -“You are right! Come along!” - -“Put your shoes in your pocket.” - -After doing so the agent seized hold of the leaden pipe with his hands, -and separating his knees in the angle of the wall to protect himself by -the friction, he silently began to descend. Baudoin, leaning over the -roof, watched the operation with anxious curiosity. He was not afraid -that Laforêt would be found lacking in strength or agility, but was -wondering if the pipe would prove solid. Suppose the attaching -cramp-irons became loose, both pipe and man would fall to the ground with -a terrible clatter. The alarm would be raised, and the consequences of -such an accident might be disastrous. But his anxiety did not last long. -At the end of a few seconds Laforêt had reached the roof, and was lying -there extended at full length. - -Baudoin thereupon followed suit. On reaching the bottom of the window, -where the meeting was being held, he knelt down and looked. Through the -muslin of the curtain the human forms appeared indistinct, like the -silhouettes of a badly-focused magic-lantern. According to the position -he was in, and his distance from the light, each of the three men -assembled appeared either like a giant or a dwarf. One of them had risen -from his seat, and was walking to and fro. According as he approached or -went away from the window, a voice, distinct or indistinct, reached -Laforêt’s ears. The latter, without turning round, drew Baudoin nearer, -and whispered in his ear— - -“It is difficult to see, but you may hear. Come a little nearer and -listen.” - -Baudoin obeyed, and listened attentively in the effort to discover the -object of his keen curiosity. It was not the man who was walking to and -fro whose voice could now be heard. It was rather the voice of some one -seated near a table, who appeared to be examining some papers. Difficult -as it was to find any meaning in what was said, all the same certain -expressions reached them, “No use using violence—nothing would result. -Alarm the workmen. Excite the attention of the authorities.” All the -same, it was easy to understand that he was not of the same mind as the -man on his feet, who appeared to be pacing to and fro with downcast head, -as though impatiently submitting to opposition. Suddenly the walker -stopped, and in harsh tones said— - -“It shall be as I wish!” - -The other replied, though, on account of the distance, only a few broken -phrases reached the listeners. - -“General interest; unfavourable opinions.” - -The man on his feet resumed his walk, and was listening to his opponent. - -Once more he stopped, and said— - -“It shall be as I wish, I tell you.” - -Laforêt whispered— - -“Is he the man? Do you recognize the voice?” - -“No!” said Baudoin, anxiously. “I don’t recognize it at all.” - -The man seated before the table thereupon folded up his papers, and put -them in his pocket, with the words—“Then there is nothing to do but -obey!” - -The other thereupon went up to the table, laid his hand on the shoulder -of his opponent who had capitulated, and said in joyful accents— - -“That’s right! You were a long time before you would give in! Now we must -set to work. No one will repent the decision reached!” - -And he burst into a loud laugh. - -Laforêt felt the hand of his companion shake, and, at the same time, -Baudoin murmured in accents of frightful anguish— - -“It is he—yes, that is the man; I recognize his laugh!” - -He gave a gesture of anger, but Laforêt immediately restrained him. - -“Listen once more! Make sure that you are not mistaken!” - -“It is he! I cannot be mistaken! Ah! that laugh of his; just as I heard -it on the night of the crime, when he descended from the carriage.” - -“Well, then, we know all we want. We must not stay any longer here; it is -useless to risk any unnecessary danger.” - -Thereupon he glided down to the edge of the zinc roof. Baudoin followed -him, and the two men put on their shoes and reached the courtyard. There -they halted. The door of the inn was closed, but Laforêt knew how to deal -with locks, and, a second later, his companion and himself were in the -open street. - -“What are you going to do now?” said Baudoin. “The police are at hand. -Will you hesitate to lock up this villain at once?” - -“Good!” said Laforêt. “That is one solution. And afterwards?” - -“What do you mean—afterwards?” - -“Nothing is easier than to take him. We need only wait till he leaves the -inn, and then carry him off to the police! But what then?” - -“Of course he will be accused of the crime committed at Vanves; then he -will be tried, convicted, and finally condemned.” - -“Indeed! Convicted? You think so? Such a man as the one with whom we have -to deal? Take him unawares? Could he not easily find an alibi to prove -that he was five hundred miles away from Vanves on the night of the -crime? Even yourself, five minutes ago, hesitated about recognizing him. -And then, whilst we have this bird safe under lock and bolt, only to be -obliged, later on, to set him at liberty, perhaps, all the others will -take to flight. That will be a fine end to everything!” - -“All the same, we cannot fold our arms quietly, and let this rascal get -off scot-free?” - -“The villain is plotting something here, and the play must not be -interrupted at the very moment the principal character is about to enter -on the stage. What about the beautiful lady of the Cavée and her -pretended brother? And all these rascals who are just now doing their -best to ruin the works of Baradier and Graff? Do you not think of them? -Should we let them know that the whole affair is over and their plot -discovered?” - -“But we cannot remain inactive spectators in all this?” - -“Spectators, yes, for the moment. Inactive, never! I did not come from -Paris to Ars simply for the purpose of breaking stones on the road. I am -engaged in my profession, and I intend the whole affair to be -successful.” - -“But can I not, at least, warn M. Marcel?” - -“Under no pretext! His first impulse would be to have a frightful scene -with his lady-love, and everything would be ruined. In the name of -Heaven, let us keep those who are under the influence of passion out of -our confidence! From them you may expect nothing but the most utter -folly!” - -“But suppose Marcel falls into some trap or other?” - -“Have no fear for him. He will come out of it all right. For my part, I -intend to shadow our man, and shall not let him give me the slip until I -have everything necessary for giving him up to the magistrate in Paris, -who is extremely mortified at his failure in this affair. Do you agree?” - -“I must do so, I suppose.” - -“Then we will each attend to our own business.” - -They shook hands, and separated in the darkness of the night. The -illuminated inn rang with shouts and exclamations, alternating with the -cadence of mugs of beer, as they struck the wooden tables. Away in the -distance the factory raised its sombre bulk under the star-lit sky. At -the very moment Baudoin passed in front of the concierge’s room, the -latter stopped him, and, in joyful tones, said— - -“M. Graff has just arrived!” - -Uncle Graff, uneasy at what Cardez had telephoned, had not hesitated, but -had left Baradier to continue an important operation at the Bourse on the -shares of the Explosives Company, and, taking the train, had made -straight for the works. Marcel, who was taking a walk by the riverside, -had seen the worthy uncle come along the flower-beds, and had rushed -joyfully forward to meet him. - -“What! Is it you, Uncle Graff?” - -“Yes, my nephew, I wanted to see for myself what is taking place here. I -have just had a talk with Cardez, and at present I know how matters -stand. Now, let us speak of yourself. How are you getting along, and what -are you doing? I don’t want to find fault, but you send us very little -news. Your mother is anything but pleased, and said to me only last -night, ‘He no longer thinks of us; he loves us no more.’” - -“I! Not think of you all!” said Marcel. - -“How can your poor mother have any illusion on the subject? Certainly, -you do not spoil her! Ah! I well know that children do not live for their -parents, but for themselves. All the same, they might do a little, from -time to time, for those who have brought them up and loved them from -childhood.” - -“Oh, uncle! What you say pains me very much!” said Marcel, penitently. -“Has my silence been interpreted in this way? To obey my father I have -come to bury myself at Ars for several weeks. I think I have given him -sufficient pledges of my good intentions, in spite of a few silly -escapades I have been guilty of.” - -“Debts amounting to three hundred thousand francs, my little Marcel, -without counting what I often gave you unknown to your parents, eh?” - -“Ah! Uncle Graff, why return to discuss such matters?” - -“Yes, you forget them very soon, don’t you?” - -Marcel smiled. - -“You are a very indulgent uncle; you know what young men are!” - -“All the same, I have never been young! Ah! Marcel, I should have adored -pleasure and luxury had I not looked as solemn as a churchwarden.” - -“So you gave yourself up to finance, and succeeded brilliantly! My good -uncle, it is you who pay when your spendthrift of a nephew is in -difficulties! All the same, I am very fond of you, Uncle Graff.” - -He had taken him by the shoulders, and was embracing him with warmth. The -old man, his eyes filled with tears, looked tenderly at the handsome -young fellow by his side. He coughed to conceal his emotion, and said— - -“Yes, I know you are fond of me. Well, well! Promise me that you will -write a nice little letter to your mother.” - -“I promise, Uncle Graff, I will write to-morrow morning, and one to my -father into the bargain.” - -“That is right! By the way, things don’t seem to be going along very well -here! Are these rascally strikers going to ruin our workmen?” - -“There is every appearance of it. Cardez has not sufficient tact; he is -too straightforward in his talk. A fine man, in reality, but one who -appears to act too tyrannically.” - -“I will attend to the matter myself. To-morrow I will see the syndicate. -And you—what are you doing? Has your work been progressing?” - -“Considerably. I have discovered the pale green and the golden yellow I -have been looking for. You shall see my samples.” - -“And the other affair?” - -Lowering his voice, he asked in anxious tones— - -“The powders?” - -“The formulæ have been tested, and their success is assured.” - -“Have you made any experiments?” - -“Yes, Uncle Graff, and they have been terrible in their simplicity. I set -off, carrying a small piece of the commerce-explosive, in the direction -of Bossicant; I placed it all around the roots of a huge oak. After -igniting it, the immense tree, without noise or smoke, lay there level -with the ground, lying in the heather, as though cut down by a giant -scythe.” - -“No one saw you?” - -“No one. The following morning the gamekeeper said, ‘Ah, M. Marcel, what -a loss we have had! The old oak of the flat Mare was struck to the ground -last night by the storm. It is strange how those old trees go; but the -wind is a famous wood-cutter!’ In fact, it would be impossible to form -any idea of the destructive force of this powder. I wished to test it -once more, and this time in the breaking up of a rock. Going to the old -stone quarry on the Sainte-Savine road I placed a squib in an excavation. -There were three hundred yards of earth and sand-stone to explode. When -night came I set fire to it, and withdrew. There would be no one passing -in the neighbourhood till morning came; accordingly I feared no accident. -The detonation was extremely feeble, and I was only half a mile away. In -fact, I scarcely heard it. The following morning I returned to judge of -the result. It was terrible! The whole cube had been lifted, and a hole -six yards deep had been dug out in the shape of a funnel. With a -sufficient charge I would wager that a mountain could be blown into the -air! See here, Uncle Graff, if the Spaniards took it into their heads to -destroy Gibraltar they would succeed with this powder. What a fine sight -it would be, that huge mass, rocks, parapets, casemates, cannons, and all -the rest, thundering down into the sea!” - -“Have you drawn up your formulæ?” - -“No, not yet.” - -“Well, draw them up, and give them to me. I will take them away with me -to Paris, and deposit them at the Patents Office. The time is come to -make use of them.” - -“You shall have them to-morrow morning, Uncle Graff. It is a mere -trifle.” - -“You see, your father and myself have for some time been putting into -execution a plan, the consequences of which are far-reaching. Baradier, -who has a fine intuition for business, has found out Lichtenbach’s plans. -The old rascal caused several shares in the explosives to be sold at a -loss, and brought the stock down to nothing. We were wondering why the -depreciation kept getting greater and greater, when chance afforded us -the proof that it was Lichtenbach who was plotting to ruin the company, -so as to reconstitute it to his profit. He had seven or eight -stockbrokers under his orders. One of them, however, committed an -indiscretion, which placed us immediately in possession of the secret. -Then your father, equal to the emergency, did not hesitate, but bought up -all Lichtenbach was selling, and after the fall had reached the limit, -the rise began. At this moment we hold two hundred thousand shares in the -explosives, bought at a very low price, and which to-morrow, in case the -patent of the new powder is acquired by the company, will rise above par. -It is a formidable party stroke. If we succeed, the fortune of the family -is increased tenfold. We shall have directed against Lichtenbach the -attack he wished to inflict on the Explosives shareholders. He will lose -on what we gain, and this time I think we shall have finished with him.” - -“Very well! Uncle Graff, you shall have the formulæ to-morrow, and you -may do what you please with them.” - -“It will be a fortune for Mademoiselle de Trémont, and one for ourselves -into the bargain.” - -“Ah! Are you not rich enough?” - -“Yes. But your father is ambitious. He wants the maximum in everything, -and affirms that there is no reason why French fortunes should not be as -great as those of the Americans.” - -“Ah! The Vanderbilts and the Astors! What a weakness to think of such -things!” - -“My young friend, you cannot understand this intoxication of success -which takes possession of the calmest and most level-headed of men. You -know well enough that your father is very simple in his tastes, and -spends less money than you do. But it is no longer a matter of pleasure; -it is a question of arithmetic.” - -“Yes, I know. But it is precisely there that the harm lies. It would be -far better if he were not so rich, and spent more money. What weapons you -place in the hands of these socialists, who are, at this very moment, -causing us so much trouble! How can you justify in their eyes such a -piling-up of capital at the disposal of one individual whilst the -generality of men toil and suffer from all kinds of privations? You see, -Uncle Graff; the sole excuse of wealthy men is that they spend a great -deal, so as to throw their superabundant riches into general circulation. -It would give me pleasure to see my father fling money out of the window, -since he has so much. Those in the street would pick it up, and their -momentary wretchedness would be relieved, at any rate. I should be glad -if he would order statues of sculptors, and pictures of artists, and set -rolling all the wealth now being piled up in the safes. How can you -expect me to be interested in the shares of such and such a company? What -does this paper represent in my eyes, if not the labour of a whole crowd -of workmen, who toil and sweat to produce dividends which will enrich the -shareholders? Uncle Graff, all this is neither moral nor just, nor even -human! And I believe that a prodigal son like myself is the just ransom, -from a social point of view, of a treasure-hoarder like my father.” - -“But consider, my little Marcel, your father’s work enriches, and his -wealth strengthens the country. It is the resources of the rich which -keep up the vigour of a nation in time of national peril. Your father is -a citizen useful by reason of his wealth, just as an inventor is by his -genius, or a general by his talent for war. It is your father who will -give the inventor funds to perfect his invention, and who will pay for -the improved cannons and guns of the soldier. Every man has his function -in life, as in society. And, I can assure you, your father is not one of -the most despicable.” - -“Uncle Graff, I speak sentiment to you, and you reply with political -economy. It is impossible for us to come to an agreement. We are both -right, only we are not speaking of the same thing.” - -“Neither are we of the same generation. Ideas change several times in a -single century, and one generation does not reason like the following. -Your father and I have seen the war of 1870, invasion and ruin on every -side, and we remember what a ransom we had to pay. That has made us -parsimonious for the rest of our days. You came into the world only when -prosperity had returned; you have been brought up under the breath of -Republican ideas. Your thoughts are quite different from ours; you are an -advocate for equality. We are nothing of the kind. My father inspired in -me respect for caste. I have less consideration for a tradesman than for -a mill-proprietor, more respect for a lawyer, a magistrate, or a notary, -than for a painter or man of letters. It is my nature. I cannot change if -I would. I am well aware that ideas are changing all round me, but I -shall die impenitent. Your generation has no bump of veneration as ours -had. You consider yourself on the same footing as an elderly man, famous -and respected, and you treat him on the most familiar terms. That is -something which would be impossible for me, any more than I should expect -the foreman at the works to look upon me as his equal, and pat me -familiarly on the shoulder. Possibly you and your companions may be -right, but I don’t think so. At any rate we shall see what your children -will be like, if you have any, for even family life is another -institution quite out of fashion now.” - -“Well, uncle, you have a very effective way of discussing, without giving -yourself any pretensions! Father would long ago have called me a fool, -without offering the slightest argument. With you, it is different, and -when I listen to you I am by no means sure that I am right. Besides, you -are so kind and tolerant, Uncle Graff, that I do not feel myself capable -of resisting you for any length of time!” - -“Ah, you little rogue! Now you are flattering me; you know how to make me -do as you wish. At bottom you are a sly fox, and I believe you trick the -lot of us!” - -“Oh! Uncle Graff!” - -“Come now, you are not so nice as that for nothing,” said the old -bachelor, with a laugh. “What is it you want me to do for you now?” - -“Nothing, upon my word, uncle. I am perfectly sincere in everything I -have just said!” - -“Then you are conducting yourself very well just now.” - -Marcel raised his eyes, and said calmly— - -“How could I do anything else here?” - -“Ah! Do you think you could not find an opportunity if you wanted? I -really believe that if you were thrown on to a desert island you would -find means to fall in love and get into debt, even there!” - -“But who would pay them if my Uncle Graff were not at hand?” - -“You are jesting with me, you rascal!” - -“No, I am quite serious. I never leave my laboratory except for a walk in -the woods; and I have not spent twenty-five francs since I came here.” - -A violent clamour, coming from the direction of the town, cut short the -conversation. A light shone in the sky. Songs, at the same time as a dull -tramp of a marching band, were heard on the road. And the workmen’s -Marseillaise, shouted out by hundreds of voices, again broke the silence. -On leaving the inn the workmen, accompanied by their wives, were marching -through the sleeping town, hurling out against the startled citizens -threats of revolt and violence. Marcel and his uncle Graff, halting there -in the garden, listened, and watched the shouting mob as it passed by, -waving in the air torches made of pine branches. It was the smoke and -flame hovering above a crowd which was hurling imprecations against the -masters. - -Uncle Graff pointed to the street, and said— - -“You hear what these people are saying. ‘All the masters shall be strung -up!’ And yet there is not one of them who, were he ill or infirm, would -not have the right to rely on us to mitigate his suffering. We have given -them workmen’s dwellings where they are lodged, schools where their -children are educated, hospitals where they are treated with every -attention when ill, and co-operative societies where they may buy -everything at cheap rates. There is only the public-house we have been -unwilling to give them, and it is there they go, to become filled with -sentiments of hatred against us! It is alcohol which is their master, and -he is a pitiless tyrant who will give them no mercy!” - -The end of the column had just passed. Whether it was that they had seen -the two men in the garden, or they simply wished to fling to the winds -their cries of rebellion and rancour, these latter, the most intoxicated -and miserable of them all, screamed forth in a shrill chorus, “Down with -the masters! Down with exploiters!” Then silence was restored by degrees. -Uncle Graff sadly shook his head, and said— - -“Come along, exploiter, let us turn in!” - -And they made their way towards the house. - -The following morning Uncle Graff was up early. He hunted up Cardez, to -come to some arrangement with him; Marcel made his way to the laboratory. -He had promised the powder formula, and he wished to draw it up at his -leisure, As he entered he found Baudoin arranging the chemical utensils. -He admired the unwonted order reigning in the capharnaum. - -“Ah, that is better!” said he; “here is a room which has not been so -clean for several weeks. The dust cannot know what it all means to be -disturbed in this way. But you must take care, Baudoin, not to touch a -single product. There are some very dangerous ones here.” - -“Ah, sir, I know all about them; I handled any quantity of products -during my poor General’s lifetime. I always obeyed the orders he gave me. -And after what has taken place at Vanves, I am not likely to risk -handling them.” - -“You have been sleeping in the summer-house, Baudoin?” - -“Yes, M. Marcel, I have arranged a bed very comfortably in the attic. -Now, I am no longer uneasy. Still, so long as there are doubtful -characters in the neighbourhood, I shall sleep with one eye open.” - -“In my opinion, the people to whom you allude have intentions on the -works rather than on the laboratory.” - -“I cannot tell, M. Marcel. There are sufficient mixed characters in the -company which has come here the last few days.” - -“One would imagine you had discovered something extraordinary.” - -Baudoin bent his head. He was afraid he had said too much, and recalled -to mind Laforêt’s prudent advice. - -“Oh! I am not clever enough for that; but I warn you, M. Marcel, to be on -your guard. Have confidence in no one—in no one!” - -He left the room, leaving Marcel astonished at his persistence. What was -the meaning of this mysterious warning his servant kept giving him? Did -he know more than he meant to tell? To whom did he allude when he said, -‘In no one.’ The beautiful and charming silhouette of Madame Vignola -sprang up in his imagination. Was it of her that he ought to be on his -guard? He pictured her again in her dreamy, careless attitude, -promenading sorrowfully in the woods of Bossicant. What had he to fear -from her? What danger could she make him incur, except that of adoring -her without obtaining a return of affection? There, indeed, was a very -grave and serious peril! It was the most dreadful he could imagine just -then, and one against which he felt himself utterly helpless. To love, -without obtaining love in return! What would become of him if such a -misfortune befell him? He could not think of it without a kind of -distraction, so long as the young woman was mistress of his heart and -mind. For a few moments he walked up and down the laboratory with anxious -mien, and only halted when he heard the door open. It was Uncle Graff. - -“You know we have to meet the syndicate of workmen this morning, at ten -o’clock?” - -“Yes; I have not forgotten.” - -“What is the matter with you? You do not appear at your ease. Is there -anything that troubles you?” - -“Nothing whatever; it is simply this distressing situation that makes me -anxious. Now that you have spoken to Cardez, uncle, what is it the -workmen want?” - -“Oh, several things! In the first place, less work and more pay. -Afterwards, themselves to nominate their own overseer. To have personal -administration of the pension and assistance funds. To submit to no -stoppage of wages for insurance against accidents. _Mon Dieu_! On all -these points some understanding may be reached, and I am quite disposed -to meet them half way. But there is on the point of being formulated a -final demand which may render all conciliation impossible.” - -“What is that!” - -“They will demand the dismissal of Cardez, who is accused by the workmen -of being extremely severe in enforcing the regulations.” - -“Dismiss the director? To-morrow they will want to send us away also.” - -“Ah, my nephew, is not that the collectivist doctrine, pure and simple? -The works to the workers, the land to the tillers—that is to say, the -dispossession of the master and the landlord. We are advancing in that -direction.” - -Marcel said coldly— - -“We cannot give way on these points. Abdicate all authority, be no longer -master in one’s own house? At no price and under no pretext. Be kind to -the workmen, certainly! But be their dupe, never!” - -“Come,” said Uncle Graff, with a smile, “do not get excited. You always -go to extremes. Yesterday all fire and flame; this morning full of -reactionary energy. You must keep to the golden mean as I do. I still -have hopes of seeing the triumph of reason and common sense. But I should -like to obtain one thing from you.” - -“What is that?” - -“That you go out for a stroll instead of being present at the meeting.” - -“Ah!” exclaimed Marcel; “that is not your own idea, Uncle Graff. It is -Cardez who has given you this hint.” - -“Well! I confess you are right. He mistrusts your impetuosity, and is -afraid you cannot keep perfect possession of yourself. He knows what your -opinions are.” - -“The fool! Let him trouble himself with his own opinions! After having -alienated our workmen by useless reforms, how can he have the assurance -to ask that the son of his master should not be present at a debate in -which his own interests, both material and moral, are engaged? And he -thinks I shall submit to this eviction? Decidedly, he knows me very -little!” - -“But if I myself asked you not to come to the meeting!” - -“For what reason?” - -Uncle Graff hesitated a moment, but finally decided to speak. - -“I did not wish to tell you all my reasons. This morning’s debate may -cause grave disorders. We have been informed that the workmen, who have -been worked up to a high pitch, will admit of no refusal to their -demands. In short, it is feared violent measures will be resorted to.” - -“Very good! The greater reason I should be there!” - -“If I consent, think what responsibility I assume in your father’s eyes!” - -“But what do you think I should do?” - -“You would do well to take the next train for Paris.” - -“And leave you to resist these madmen, all alone? You have a fine opinion -of me, indeed!” - -“Come, now, Marcel, do not get angry. I am an old man, and command a -certain amount of respect. It will be easy for me to keep out of a -quarrel, but it will be no easy matter to keep an eye on you. To tell the -truth, you would be greatly in the way. Here, you have no official -standing; you are simply an inventor, and there is a whole group of -workmen who regard you with no kindly feelings on account of your -investigations in dyeing. They pretend that it is your intention to take -away their living by manufacturing with the machine what they now do by -hand. I assure you, Marcel, I have good reasons for keeping you away, -and, if you are reasonable, you will obey me.” - -“Well, Uncle Graff, I am not reasonable. That you have long known; on -many occasions have I proved it, and I will prove it once again to-day. I -don’t care what people think. I will keep close to your side, without -giving you any cause for trouble. But I will be present, because it is -both my duty and my right. Besides, if I did not come, some time after -you would say to yourself; ‘After all, he obeyed me very readily. My -young nephew is bent on pleasure only, and is quite willing to keep out -of the way when there is danger in the air.’” - -As the old man listened to his nephew the look of anxiety, by degrees, -disappeared from his countenance. Doubtless he blamed him for his -unwillingness to obey him, but approved of his showing himself at once -determined, devoted, and affectionate. Oh yes, affectionate above all! In -the bachelor’s tender heart Marcel’s protests found a delightful echo. He -felt himself loved by this nephew of his, whom he himself loved as though -he were his own son, and all his discontent melted away in an exquisite -sensation of happiness. Still, he would not confess to a satisfaction so -little in accord with his expressed wishes. He gave himself an angry and -displeased mien; but a smile shone in his eyes as he murmured— - -“Very good! I cannot force you. As you please! If anything happens -through you we shall know whose fault it is!” - -“Uncle Graff, we will perish together!” exclaimed the young man, gaily. -“What more brilliant end could I hope for! What a glorious item of news -for the journals!” - -“That would be the last straw!” - -“What precautions are you going to take to prevent our being devoured by -the popular lion?” - -“None whatever! I am convinced that a display of force would effect no -useful end. Accordingly, I begged the authorities not to disturb -themselves. They wished to send us out the dragoons! Why not the -artillery at once?” - -“And who are the delegates to whom we shall have to reply?” - -“There are eight of them. But it is the famous Balestrier who is at their -head and acts as their mouthpiece.” - -“He is a very intelligent fellow, only he reads too many books beyond his -power of comprehension.” - -“The rest are honest enough, but they have been incited to revolt by -their companions at Troyes, and I am afraid I shall find them more -violent than they are naturally disposed to be. They assume an attitude -and play a _rôle_.” - -“We will judge them by their actions.” - -Pointing out to his uncle on the laboratory table a glass recipient of -moderate size, Marcel said— - -“Look at this jar, Uncle Graff. If I were to throw a lighted match into -it, in a moment I could annihilate all these ill-advised strikers.” - -“Then that is the famous powder?” - -“Yes.” - -“Show it me.” - -Marcel took the jar, removed the stopper, and poured into his hand a few -small brown shavings. An odour of camphor spread throughout the room. - -“It is the war powder in flakes, but I intend to manufacture it in -pastilles. Then it will resemble an ordinary button without holes. In -flakes it is more convenient for charging large projectiles. In pastilles -it will be better suited for cartridge sockets. Non-compressed it burns -like German tinder, with a smell of disinfecting powder, and entirely -without smoke. Would you like to see it?” - -“No!” said Uncle Graff, eagerly. “I do not care to see you handling such -substances. One never knows! They might explode without any one expecting -it!” - -“Impossible! Besides, as this powder smells of camphor it might be placed -with one’s clothes during the summer to prevent the moths from spoiling -them.” - -He laughed aloud. Uncle Graff, slightly reassured, forced him to place -the bottle back on to the table. - -“And the commerce powder?” - -“I have none manufactured. But the formula is already there in the -drawer.” - -“With this formula Trémont’s discovery may be exploited?” - -“Certainly, on condition one knows how to make use of it. But that is my -secret, which I shall reveal only at the moment the exploitation -commences. The different kinds of products employed, with their dosings, -are specified.” - -Opening a drawer he took out a sheet of paper, at the head of which were -written the words: Powder Formula. No. I. Then followed lines of -abbreviated words, with figures. - -“Leave it in this drawer; I do not need it just now. You will give it me -this evening, after the conference. Then I will write to your father and -send on the paper to him.” - -“As you please,” said Marcel. - -Placing back the paper he shut the drawer. Uncle Graff left the room -saying— - -“I am going to see Cardez; if you want me you will find me with him.” - -Marcel, left all alone, walked up and down the laboratory, then drew near -the open window, and looked out on to the river flowing beneath. A -fisherman was sitting there in a boat, moored in the middle of the -stream, engaged in throwing baked grain as bait into the water all around -him. A large straw hat covered his head, whilst the wind blew out his -grey smock-frock into the form of a balloon. He did not appear even to -see Marcel, but filled his pipe with tobacco, lit it, and began to throw -out his line, at the end of which was a ball of worms as bait. After a -few moments a bite came, he struck adroitly, and landed a small -silver-bellied fish in the boat. Marcel, interested, sat and watched from -the window-ledge. After watching for a good quarter of an hour, the -fisher, in his smock-frock, who, by the way, appeared to have the best of -luck, the door of the laboratory opened, and Baudoin appeared. He seemed -embarrassed, but came straight up to his master, and said, in tones of -seeming regret— - -“Monsieur Marcel, there is some one at the porter’s lodge who is asking -for you.” - -“Who is it?” - -Baudoin said, with a wry grimace— - -“A kind of chambermaid.” - -Marcel arose eagerly. He thought, “It is Milona, sent by Madame Vignola. -Something has happened.” In a trice he was out of the room. - -Baudoin followed him with ill-pleased look. - -“How he runs off to meet her! Ah, that crafty woman holds him tight -indeed! And this servant, who looks like a gipsy! This kind of company -does not inspire confidence in one!” - -Marcel, on reaching the porter’s lodge, had found Milona there, as he had -conjectured. Drawing her aside, he asked anxiously— - -“No harm has befallen Madame Vignola?” - -“No; I am with her all the time. But my mistress is uneasy for your sake. -She heard cries and threats, and saw flashes of light through the -darkness of the night. She well knows what these mad acts of folly -committed by an angry mob mean, and would like to see you and have you -explain the meaning of all this tumult.” - -“May I go to her at once?” - -“She is expecting you every minute.” - -He gave a gesture expressive of the joy he felt. - -“Then start back at once. We must not be seen crossing the plain -together. In a few minutes I will follow you. Tell this to your -mistress.” - -Milona bowed with a kind of haughty deference. With a tender look at the -young man she said— - -“Do not tarry; she is never happy except when you are there!” - -Marcel stifled a cry of joy. - -“Oh, Milona! What has she told you?” - -“Nothing. But even had she taken me into her confidence I would not -betray her. All the same, I see the difference between when she is alone -and when you are with her. She is not the same at all. Come! She was in -tears all the morning.” - -With a bow, she placed her fingers to her lips and withdrew. - -Marcel watched her take her departure. His heart beat wildly; flashes of -light seemed to pass before his eyes. He had forgotten everything—works, -strikes, danger, Uncle Graff, and his good resolutions. Now he thought of -nothing but the radiant blonde awaiting him in that solitary villa, for -which he set off with all the ardour of youth and love. - - - -CHAPTER V - - -IN the dimly-lit salon Marcel and Madame Vignola were seated chatting -near the window. It was ten o’clock. In the clear blue sky the sun shone -brightly, and its warm rays breaking through the branches of the trees -came with caressing gentleness to the lovers. Madame Vignola was saying -in grave accents— - -“Even in this out-of-the-way little place, right in the midst of the -forest and far away from the rush of town life, there is no perfect peace -and calm.” - -“You seem to have no luck. Never before have the inhabitants of Ars shown -themselves so turbulent. Generally they are quite peaceable and harmless -creatures. If they have any claims to make they do it with moderation and -politeness, sure, in advance, of obtaining what they want. I do not know -what madness has come over them!” - -Madame Vignola smiled. - -“Doubtless they have listened to bad counsel and advice. But that is of -little importance. The main thing is that you are not exposed to the -violence of these madmen. When I heard them last night shouting out their -threats of death I trembled.” - -“Then you do take a certain amount of interest in me?” - -“Can you ask me such a question?” - -Passionately he seized hold of a dainty hand, which she made no attempt -to withdraw. - -“Well, now, listen, Anetta. I cannot understand how I have been able to -find any joy in life before I knew you. I seem to myself only to have -been alive the last month.” - -Graciously raising her hand with threatening gesture, she said— - -“Not another word! I know you have been anything but perfect. Don’t try -to deceive me like all the others you have said you were in love with.” - -“Oh! I have never been in love before. That I understand well enough -now!” - -“Marcel, for pity’s sake, be quite frank with me. I have gone through -such suffering hitherto, but that was because my heart was untouched. I -am afraid of suffering now, as I shall love—” - -“No, have confidence in me. I will make you forget all your past sorrow. -You are so young, and the future may yet be so bright for you. I want you -all to myself. Once your mourning over you will again become mistress of -your own destiny, and if you will authorize me to speak to your brother—” - -The young woman gave a gesture of fright. - -“To Cesare? Do nothing of the kind. You do not know him! In a moment he -would become your most bitter enemy!” - -“Why so?” - -“Ah! It is sad to think of and even sadder to mention. Cesare is without -fortune, and I have been left a wealthy widow by M. Vignola. Were I to -leave my brother, and cease to be free, he would be absolutely without -resource. How could I induce him to accept a modest station in life? He -is already unhappy, indeed, at not being able to do honour to his birth, -for we are descended from a princely family. The Briviescas formerly -reigned in Padua. An Agostini was ruler of Parma. But ruin came, and -Count Cesare receives only the pay of a captain of cavalry. A sorry -position for a man of his disposition! Accordingly, ever since I have -been a widow he has undertaken the direction of my property. He finds it -to his advantage, I believe, and I am well pleased that it is so. For he -is very kind, and I am fond of him.” - -“In that case give him what belongs to you. Have I any need of your -fortune? I only want yourself! Leave Count Cesare all your possessions. -I, too, shall be rich, and if I wished I could restore to you to-morrow -more than all you would have sacrificed in becoming mine.” - -She seemed astonished. A light shone in her beautiful eyes as she said— - -“Tell me how?” - -No suspicion came across his mind. He saw nothing but that exquisite -mouth and those gentle eyes which questioned him so eloquently. - -“I am in possession of a commercial secret calculated to bring about a -complete revolution in the economic conditions of work in mines. The -assured profit will not belong to me entirely, but I shall have my share -of it. That sole share alone will be immense. They can do nothing without -me, for I alone know the secret of the process of manufacturing the -powder. A company will be formed to exploit the patents of this -discovery. All this means fortune—you hear, Anetta?—an immediate and -enormous fortune.” - -“Oh! continue! Tell me all, my dear friend.” - -“You are the first to whom I have said so much. But, then, can I conceal -anything from you? Were you to ask me for my very honour I would -sacrifice it for your sake. Besides, what have I to fear from one so kind -and disinterested? Yes, I am the possessor of a glorious and powerful -secret. The glory of the discovery will belong to the inventor, and I -shall be happy to have helped in making him world-famed. To those who -have organized and rendered his work practicable will belong an -incalculable financial power.” - -Madame Vignola interrupted Marcel. - -“But suppose you were to disappear—suppose some misfortune happened you; -in these noisy street quarrels of the strikers you might be struck to the -ground. Then what would become of this invention of yours? Probably you -have given no more thought to the protection of your secret than you have -to that of your life.” - -As she spoke she pressed him to her heart, a look of anguish -overshadowing her face. Her looks seemed to burn into Marcel’s brain as -she gently passed her hand over his brow. - -“No!” he said. “Do not deceive yourself. I took the precaution this very -morning to write out the formulæ of this wonderful invention.” - -“You have it on your person?” she asked in terrified accents. - -“No, do not be anxious, dearest; I left it in my laboratory. It cannot be -destroyed now. My Uncle Graff would take it from the drawer of my desk in -case anything were to befall me. But I love you, and nothing can possibly -happen to me. I must succeed and triumph if you love me!” - -With a gesture expressive of infinite content, she said— - -“Can you doubt it, after what I have said? How could I help loving one so -fervent and capricious as you are? It is this youthful folly of yours -which pleased me from the beginning. You are so different from those with -whom I have hitherto lived. My early life was passed with my old parents, -who were very strict and severe with me, in a cold and gloomy house in -Milan. Then my husband, though so kind and anxious to please me, could -not bring his cold and reasoning habits into harmony with my youth and -inexperience. Sorrow and _ennui_ were my daily portion. It seems that I -have only awakened to life from this very day, as though I had all my -life been like the sleeping princess in the fairy tale. You have appeared -before me, and now my eyes open to the light of day, my ears listen to -your tender, loving words, and with inexpressible delight I awake to a -new birth of happiness.” - -The most accomplished actress could not have more artfully uttered such -ravishing words as these which fell from the lips of the beautiful -temptress. Turning aside her face, as though to conceal her blushes, her -lithe form seemed to quiver with delight. He, maddened by this -confession, and burning with the passion this redoubtable enchantress -knew so well how to inspire, dropped his fevered head on Anetta’s -shoulder. His reason seemed to leave him as he murmured— - -“I adore you!” - -At this moment she turned her head to look at him, perhaps to reply. -Their lips met, and united in a burning kiss. Suddenly, above the green -expanse of forest, in the midst of the calm in which the peaceful house -was wrapped, rose a shout which grew louder and louder, whilst the clang -of an alarm-bell could be distinctly heard. Anetta exclaimed— - -“What is that?” - -Marcel listened attentively. - -“It sounds like shouts and cries for help coming from the direction of -Ars.” - -He rushed towards the window, and, already trembling with secret anguish, -exclaimed— - -“It is the alarm-bell! Perhaps the works are on fire! _Mon Dieu_! What -can be the matter? You are well aware to what risks we were exposed at -Ars, and I am afraid that matters have taken a turn for the worse in my -absence.” - -Madame Vignola opened the door, and called— - -“Milo.” - -The servant appeared. Without waiting to be questioned, she said— - -“There is something wrong at Ars, madame. Bells are ringing, and a black -cloud of smoke is rising above the trees. It might be possible to see -from the roof.” - -“I will mount at once!” exclaimed Marcel. - -“I will follow you. Go with him,” she said to Milona. - -But instead of keeping her word the young woman entered the small office -where she was in the habit of writing her letters, took up a sheet of -paper, and traced a few rapid lines. Steps could already be heard on the -staircase. Marcel, pale and agitated, appeared before her. - -“The fire must have caught the works. Oh, Anetta, I have forgotten -everything by your side! Good-bye, I must rush off at once.” - -“Marcel, do not forget that you are mine.” - -With a look of fright she pressed him in her arms, and held him back. - -“Darling, I must go. What would they think of me? I will return to-night. -Let me go now.” - -“Very well. But Milona will follow you, and bring me back the news. -Promise me you will be very careful.” - -A final kiss, and he was already in the garden. Anetta turned to the -servant and handed to her the note she had just written. - -“Run to Ars. On the river, in a boat, you will see Hans, dressed like a -peasant. Give him this paper, and return at once. Go, Milo! This time we -shall succeed.” - -“And the young man, madame—what will you do with him?” - -A look of anxiety came over her brow. - -“I cannot tell yet, Milo. I believe I love him.” - -The servant smiled faintly as she said— - -“Poor fellow! What a pity!” - -And, without another word, she disappeared. - -Marcel was running towards the works. At the first turn of the road the -whole town lay before his eyes. From the Supply Stores a lofty column of -black smoke mounted towards the sky, and flames were beginning to break -through the roof. - -“Ah, the wretches!” exclaimed the young man. “They have set the place on -fire! And Uncle Graff? _Mon Dieu_! if only he is safe and sound!” - -Young and vigorous, spurred on by fear and anger, he ran along faster -than ever. A mass of onlookers was standing in the street, kept in check -by the police. Marcel rushed through them like a bullet and entered the -yard, perspiring and out of breath. Workmen were manipulating the -fire-engine belonging to the works. On seeing their master’s son arrive -they exclaimed eagerly— - -“Ah, M. Marcel! You have come at last!” - -“How did the fire happen?” exclaimed the young man panting for breath. - -No one replied. They were two hundred; he was alone. All the same he -exclaimed, in angry tones— - -“So it is you, rascals, you who have set fire to the works which afforded -you your only means of livelihood?” - -They protested noisily. - -“No, M. Marcel, we did not do it! We set forth our demands, but we did -not enforce them by such villainous means. There are strangers about. We -had nothing to do with it.” - -“Where is my uncle Graff?” - -Terror-stricken, a foreman advanced— - -“Ah, M. Marcel, we could not prevent him entering.” - -“Entering where?” - -“Into the managing department, with M. Cardez and your servant. They -wanted to find the account books, etc.” - -“But the managing department is on fire!” shrieked the young man, in -despair. “If you could not prevent them going, you might at least have -accompanied them.” - -A crash was now heard coming from the burning building. Millions of -sparks shot forth into the air, and a black dust filled the sky. It was -the roof of the stores, which had fallen in. - -“How can we reach them now?” said the overseer, anxiously. “They are -caught between the weaving department and the stores. The fire is all -over the place now.” - -“By the roof.” - -The workman shook his head discouragingly. - -“Who will dare to go?” - -“I will!” - -“But it means death!” - -“Well, I will risk it with them!” - -“We will not let you go. What would your father say?” - -“What would he say if I did not go?” - -Scarcely knowing what he was doing, Marcel seized hold of a hatchet, and -rushed into the works. A violent biting sensation of heat seized him by -the throat, but he did not halt. He mounted the staircase leading to the -door of the book-keeping department. Here he was forced to stop. Before -him was a wall of flames. Climbing higher, he came out on the roof, ran -along a drain-pipe, entered the loft, which was filled with smoke, and, -almost suffocated, reached that part of the building which lay above the -offices. The fire had not reached them. He halted. If Cardez and Uncle -Graff were in the book-keeping compartment they were surrounded on every -side by the fire. Accordingly, they could only effect an escape either -from above or below. Without the slightest hesitation he began to cut -away at the floor. Suddenly he heard his name called from the roof. -Without stopping he shouted back— - -“This way! In the loft!” - -It was the overseer and three of the workmen, who had followed with picks -and levers. They set to work. Marcel, with his hatchet, seemed possessed -of the strength of ten men; the beams appeared to fall away like reeds -before the blows he dealt. Bricks and plaster were flying in all -directions. At last a hole was made in the floor, and Marcel, lying flat -on the ground, shouted with all his might— - -“Uncle Graff, Cardez, Baudoin—are you there?” - -A stifled voice replied— - -“Ah! This is you, Marcel. Yes, we are here. Be quick; we are almost -exhausted. The smoke is suffocating us. We cannot open the window on -account of the flames.” - -“Take care of yourselves!” - -Seizing the lever he gave a powerful lift, which considerably enlarged -the hole. Then he saw the smoke rise as though by an escape-flue. There -appeared in full view the three men, who had not let go their books and -registers, stolidly awaiting deliverance or death. It was deliverance -that came. A rope was lowered down the hole. - -“Baudoin, fasten my uncle firmly under the arms with this rope. Are you -ready?” - -“Yes.” - -“Pull away, my men!” - -The rope, hoisted by impatient arms, was drawn up, and Uncle Graff, black -with dirt and smoke, trembling, and scarcely able to breathe, though -perfectly happy, was pressed in Marcel’s arms, whilst tears flowed down -their cheeks, though not a word was uttered. Cardez and Baudoin were -hoisted up in the same way. - -“By the way,” said Marcel, “is there anything else you want from the -office? I will go down, if you like.” - -“No!” exclaimed Uncle Graff; finding his voice; “we have all the books we -want. That is sufficient! The place is insured, so there is nothing more -to do.” - -“Then we must beat a retreat at once,” exclaimed Marcel. “The smoke is -getting denser here.” - -Marcel, helping along his uncle, made his way to the drain-pipe. From the -yard they were seen returning safe and sound. An immense shout arose, -almost deafening the roar of the flames. They reached the works, where -the firemen had already taken up their positions with the object of -preserving the buildings still intact. Once in the yard Uncle Graff sank -down on a bale of wool, turned pale, and almost fainted. He had come to -the end of his strength. - -“A glass of water!” exclaimed Marcel. - -In a moment a decanter was in his hand. No matter what he had asked for, -his demand would have been immediately obeyed. Full of respect before -courage and devotion, the mob regarded him with indulgent and reverent -tenderness. The very men who had cried out only the night before, “Down -with the masters!” were ready to shout out, Hurrah for M. Marcel! The -reason was that he had just performed a feat none of them had had courage -to attempt, and in their inmost souls they were conscious that he was -braver and better than themselves, and, accordingly, they felt nothing -but admiration for him. - -“Cardez, take these registers and the money home,” said Marcel. “We will -go to my home, Uncle Graff. You must try to regain your strength -completely.” - -“No! I feel better already. I can breathe more freely. Ah, Marcel, you -came just in time. Another quarter of an hour and you would have found us -all dead.” - -“I was miserable at the thought that I was not with you all the time.” - -“Had you been with us everything would have been lost! We were dying. -Your absence was quite providential! But for that, all would have been -over with us!” - -“But how did it all happen?” - -“We cannot understand anything yet! For an hour we had been discussing -with the delegates, and I must say the peaceful settlement of the strike -seemed very doubtful, when we were suddenly interrupted by shouts of -‘Fire! Fire!’ The workmen assembled in the yard awaiting the delegates -had just seen a dense cloud of smoke issue from the stores. To tell the -truth, they were ill-disposed towards us. When we crossed the yard on the -way to the office they received us with a hostile silence. Not a head was -uncovered. Veritable enemies on our own ground! In a moment the fire -effected a complete change. They became like madmen when they saw the -works burning. At bottom these workmen are not evil-disposed, for they -rushed forth from every direction, shouting out, ‘To the pumps!’ When -they saw me appear with Cardez they shouted: ‘M. Graff, this is not our -work!’ A moment after one of the strangers, who has been here only a -week, a native of Luxembourg, named Verstraet, being caught prowling -about the works, they half killed him, accusing him of being the -incendiary. We were obliged to tear him from their hands.” - -Marcel listened with gloomy interest to this recital. He associated the -fire with the strange fears, manifested on different occasions by -Baudoin, respecting the safety of the laboratory. He heard the servant -say, “Just now, there are men here whose appearance is anything but -prepossessing.” The workmen also spoke vaguely about strangers. -Everything was wrapped in mystery. Instinctively, Marcel felt himself -enveloped in a network of threats and hatred. Was it still this secret of -the General de Trémont, which brought disaster on all those who possessed -it? Looking round for Baudoin, he found that he had disappeared. The fire -was raging less fiercely, for the torrents of water poured on the stores -had extinguished the bales of wool. The works themselves did not seem to -have suffered to any considerable extent; the loss was only partial. The -captain of the Ars fire brigade, a plumber by trade, came out from the -rest and stood there, hot and panting, with cap in hand, before M. Graff -and Cardez. - -“Well, gentlemen, we shall come out of this affair better than we might -have expected. At present, more than two-thirds of the works are safe. We -may take our breath a little. It has been warm work, indeed, the last -hour!” - -“Yes. But for M. Marcel,” said Cardez, “we should not be speaking to you -at this moment, M. Prevost.” - -“That was a very noble act of his,” said the captain. “Ah! neither my men -nor myself had thought of doing as he did. There was courage enough in -us, but we should not have thought of piercing a hole in the roof. He did -not lose his head; and that was the main thing.” - -Just at that moment, a voice quivering with anguish, was heard, and -Marcel, pale and excited, came rushing from the laboratory, exclaiming— - -“Uncle Graff. Come here, quick!” - -“What is the matter?” asked Cardez. - -“Stay here! My uncle only!” said the young man. Monsieur Graff -immediately went up to his nephew. Baudoin was already on the threshold -guarding the entrance. - -“Come in! _Mon Dieu_! Come in!” said Marcel, pushing the old man before -him. “Baudoin, shut the door and place the key inside.” - -“What is the matter now?” exclaimed the old man. - -“Look!” - -Standing there on the threshold of the capharnaum, the three men looked -around in bewildered astonishment. All the signs of a desperate fight had -thrown the room into the utmost disorder. A curtain, half torn from the -window still open on the river, was hanging from its broken pole. Jars, -retorts, and alembics of every description crushed to pieces lay -scattered about the floor. On the table was a large clot of blood, still -wet, as though some one had there met his death. The paper everywhere was -splashed over with large red spots, and the drawer of the table lay wide -open before their eyes. - -“What has taken place here?” asked Uncle Graff, in low tones. - -“Look in the drawer, Uncle Graff,” said Marcel. “Try to find the formula -I placed there before your eyes.” - -“Well!” - -“It is there no longer! It has been stolen! Look for the flagon -containing the war powder, which was on the table. Disappeared!” - -“Stolen? By whom?” - -“Perhaps by the same person who set fire to the works? Whose blood is -that on the floor? Uncle Graff, we have brought about our heads a -terrible stream of enemies. Think of what has happened concerning the -inventions of M. de Trémont. There has been a whole band of rascals at -work for months, bent on stealing these secrets at whatever cost, and in -face of the greatest difficulties! My father guessed this, for it was -with the utmost trouble that I succeeded in obtaining his permission to -continue this discovery. Baudoin knew it, for he asked my permission to -keep watch in the laboratory. It was the excitement caused by the fire -which forced him to quit his post; doubtless, had he stayed here, he, -too, would have lost his life. But whose blood is this that has been -shed?” - -“Come, my child, do calm yourself,” said the old man, alarmed at the -increasing agitation of his nephew. “Speak, Baudoin, tell us all you -know.” - -“Monsieur Graff, I know who has fallen here, and I know, too, whose hand -struck the blow. The victim is a man devoted to our cause, who, from the -very first, had scented the culprits. He could not help the robbery being -committed, and, had he not been killed, he would certainly have arrested -the thief.” - -“And who is the man who struck him?” - -“Ah! This is by no means the first attempt. He is a determined villain; -all the troubles in the district have been caused by this man. It is he -who started the conflagration. He who stabbed General de Trémont. It is -the man of Vanves. In a word, it is Hans!” - -“How do you know this?” - -“Because I have seen him. Laforêt, whom I had sent for to keep a watch on -these people whom I suspected, and who has doubtless paid with his life -for his zeal and devotion, followed him last night, and we both spent -part of the night in tracking his movements. We were present at his -conferences with the leaders of the strike at the Soleil d’Or. We heard -him give his orders to his acolytes. It is he our unhappy workmen obeyed, -without knowing it, seduced as they were by the rabid language of the -leaders. This is the villain who, secretly, and from a distance, directed -the riot, and set fire to the works!” - -“But how could he know that the written formula was in the table of the -laboratory? Why did he come here?” - -“He came here because I ran off to the fire and left my post. He has, -somehow or other, received precise information.” - -Baudoin stopped. He gave his young master a look of anguish. - -“Ah, Monsieur Marcel, must I speak? Will you pardon me?” - -Marcel turned pale. All the same he said, in firm tones— - -“Speak. I insist upon it.” - -“Well, then, this man, for the past week, has been living at the Villa de -la Cavée.” - -“Impossible!” exclaimed Marcel. “Hans! This villain?” - -“Monsieur Marcel,” resumed Baudoin, bravely, but with infinite sadness, -“I have seen him there myself. Laforêt has been watching him for a whole -week. He lived in the attic, and only went out at nights.” - -“And I never suspected anything!” exclaimed the young man, in stupefied -grief. “Then who is this woman who has been there the last six weeks? -What is this atrocious farce she has been playing with me?” - -“Ah!” exclaimed Uncle Graff. “A woman! Another woman? Incorrigible -child!” - -Marcel, seated by the table on a stool, his head in his hands, was -endeavouring to collect his ideas. He was falling from a pure heaven of -delight in which he had been living into the degradation of blood and -crime. - -“Come, it is impossible!” he continued, with trembling voice. “Why should -she have deceived me so atrociously? Was there any need to make me so -madly in love with her? No, I cannot believe her guilty; she never lied -once to me. Her very looks were frank and true. No, no! You are mistaken; -you are heaping calumny on her! Even though the man be a villain, she, at -least, is no accomplice of his. She is his victim, as we all are. If they -tried to harm me, she had not the strength or the authority to resist. -And if she knows what has happened, she is lamenting it all, as we are, -this very moment.” - -His desperate protests were stifled by sobs, and, leaning his head on the -blood-stained table, he wept bitterly. His uncle respected his grief, -and, taking Baudoin to the window, he said to him, in subdued tones— - -“In your opinion, who has been in the laboratory after you left it?” - -“Laforêt, who was keeping watch over our man, must have followed him to -this very spot. During the tumult caused by the fire Hans entered the -yard of the works, and went right to the summer-house. Laforêt must have -surprised him whilst he was examining the drawer. A terrible struggle -must then have taken place between Hans, who is a giant in form, and -Laforêt, who is very muscular. Hans doubtless made use of some arm or -other to rid him of his adversary. Laforêt, killed outright, or stunned, -fell on the table, thereupon Hans seized him and dragged him to the -window. He became entangled with the curtain, which has been torn away; -the weight must have been a heavy one, for the pole is broken.” - -“And afterwards?” asked M. Graff, anxiously. - -“Afterwards Hans flung the ill-fated Laforêt out of the window. The -current has carried him off. Probably he will be picked up in the sluice -of the mill of Sainte-Savine.” - -“And the woman, Baudoin?” whispered the old man. - -“Ah, Monsieur Graff, I do not know if she is the woman of Vanves or not. -Both the scent she uses and her voice are different. But a voice may be -modified, and a perfume changed. What remains unchanging is villainous -skill and seductive charm. This one has all that is needed to madden a -man—beauty, distinction, grace. Look at M. Marcel there, in tears. It is -neither crime nor theft that has brought him into that state. It is the -grief caused by suspecting the one he adores, and the fear that he may -now be under the obligation of hating her.” - -“Poor fellow! He, at least, did not deserve to suffer. He has been very -brave. But for him, Baudoin, we should not now be in the land of the -living.” - -“True; and but for this wretched woman all this trouble would have been -avoided. She well knows what she has done, and with whom she has had to -deal. It is not you she would have undertaken to corrupt. She would have -known beforehand that your calm and tranquil reason would have guarded -you from her attacks. But with the General and M. Marcel it was -different. Oh, M. Graff, she has made no mistake! Had she had either the -necessary time or desire both the old and the young man would have given -up their secret of their own accord.” - -Uncle Graff, astonished at such clear-sightedness, looked at Baudoin with -considerable interest. - -“Ah, sir, you are astonished at hearing me speak in this way. But what I -have said is not an invention. My General, on those days when he was -master of himself, spoke to me in similar terms. He accused and blamed -himself, well knowing how weak he was.” - -“And his weakness brought him to his death. Let us consider ourselves -fortunate that Marcel has not been treated so harshly. The poor fellow -suffers; he is unhappy. But, then, he is only twenty-five years of age, -and in one’s youth no sorrow lasts long. But if these rascals had killed -him? Ah, his father seemed to guess the danger he ran! He imagined his -son would be safer at Ars, in the midst of the workmen, but you see how -mistaken he has been.” - -“Ah! But, after all, this woman knew how to track him. And in this quiet -spot her power was more manifest than ever.” - -“What will she do now?” - -“Disappear with her acolytes.” - -“Are there many of them?” - -“There is a pretended brother, a handsome, dark-complexioned young -fellow; the servant, who called this morning for M. Marcel; and then -Hans, without counting those we know nothing about. A whole band, you may -be certain. Sir, not a single act of rascality or treachery happens in -the country without those rascals having a hand in it. Laforêt told me so -himself: ‘France is exploited by foreigners. The Government will do for -strangers what they will not do for Frenchmen. If only an individual -offers himself, speaking with a foreign accent, and wearing a -many-coloured decoration, all kinds of privileges are showered upon him.’ -We are a set of ninnies and simpletons, M. Graff, though we imagine -ourselves very clever.” - -Marcel drew near. During the past few minutes his face seemed to have -become quite furrowed. - -“Uncle Graff,” he said, “the present is not the time for lamenting. We -must act at once. Perhaps we may still come across the bold scoundrel who -has been here. We must give a description of him to the police. For -myself, I shall go to the villa and find out the whole truth.” - -“We know very little, Marcel, about the people with whom we have to deal -if we can think they have lost a single second in escaping.” - -“How can they imagine they are even suspected?” - -“The _coup_ is effected; all they need do now will be to clear off!” - -Marcel gave a gesture of protest. - -“Yes,” continued the old man, gently. “You are asking why she could have -gone? How could she have taken her departure without seeing me again? My -poor child, you are still under the effect of the delusion practised on -you! You cannot yet understand that all the tenderness she lavished on -you was calculated, interested in its nature, that, in short, you were -only a victim. And you still expect her to be waiting for you. Well! we -will all go and see, my child. Then we shall know the value of the -promises by which you have allowed yourself to be deceived. Meanwhile we -must inform the authorities. Take my advice, and say nothing about the -powders. We must speak of the murder only. Our man will be caught just as -easily, if he is to be caught at all, which I very much doubt. We will -keep our secret in the background. Ah! We have to deal with enemies -stronger than ourselves! Do not reproach yourself in any way. Everything -was too well arranged. In one way or another, you were bound to succumb. -Luckily, your life is out of danger.” - -“Thanks, Uncle Graff, you do your best to console me. But I shall never -forgive myself, in case you are right. Come along.” - -They descended into the yard. The fire had been extinguished, and the -pumps were now silent, with the exception of the one belonging to the -works, which was still dashing water on the ruins. On their approach, the -crowd of workmen stood there in respectful silence, all heads uncovered. -This misfortune had kindled renewed sympathy with their masters, and -their devotion enjoined an attitude of respect. Cardez came forward, and -said— - -“Monsieur Graff, the workmen want you to speak to them. They do not wish -to remain suspected.” - -Graff advanced, and said in grave accents— - -“My friends, I know you too well to accuse you of the crime which has -been committed here. I am well aware that you are hot-headed, but you are -very honest all the same. Besides, what would have been the use of such -wilful destruction, if not to throw you on to the streets and cause you -to die of hunger? The very moment the fire broke out, your delegates and -ourselves were on the point of coming to a mutual understanding. After -the good will you have just given proof of, in uniting to save the works, -I can only admit of one solution, the one most favourable to you. -Accordingly, I grant you your demands.” - -An immense cheer of mingled joy and gratitude burst from five hundred -throats. Caps were waved high in the air. Graff raised his hand; silence -was instantly restored. - -“I beg you to remember that it is to the manager quite as much as to -myself that you owed this result. If he is severe in point of discipline, -it is because he feels it to be necessary in the interest of the work. -But no one is a stauncher upholder of your interests than your excellent -director.” - -“Hurrah for M. Cardez!” - -Uncle Graff smiled. - -“Come, come! You are like overgrown children! Yesterday you wanted to -hang him. And myself into the bargain! To-day you receive him with shouts -of joy. And it is at this moment that you are more just and reasonable. -Remember what has taken place. And next time you have any demands to -make, do not begin by threats of murder. Now, go home, all of you, and -to-morrow morning, at the usual hour, we shall expect you back at work!” - -The crowd melted away in respectful silence. With its usual fickleness it -now showered blessings on those it had formerly cursed. Obeying its -instincts, which are always generous and kind when left to develop -freely, it congratulated itself on the happy ending of a day which might -have been so tragic, and now withdrew, delighted at the prospect of -resuming the labour it had contemptibly looked upon as utter slavery. - - - - -PART III - - -CHAPTER I - - -WHILST Milona was running in the direction of Ars, her mistress returned -quietly to the salon. Flinging herself on the sofa, she abandoned herself -to a delightful reverie. What a difference she found between Cesare -Agostini and Marcel! A feeling of nausea came over her when she compared -them with one another. The complaisant and needy lover, who always knew -when to close his eyes, when some mysterious interests of his were at -stake, and this tender, sincere lover, who thought of nothing but her -happiness, and sacrificed for that his own. - -She remembered Hans’ sarcastic remarks, “Take care you are not caught in -your own net, and fall in love with this young man.” Had he then read her -inmost thoughts, this dread accomplice of hers, who trampled humanity -under foot, and who had no more respect for joy and happiness than the -hail has for the harvest? Suppose it were so? Had she not the right to do -as she wished? Was she a slave, linked to obscure and threatening -adventurers engaged in some formidable though tremendous task? Or was -there equality for both them and herself, in danger, success, and -pleasure alike? Who could compel her to do what was displeasing to -her—above all, who would dare to attempt it? She knew she was as -dangerous as any of them, and they, too, were well aware how powerful and -audacious she was. If it were necessary to try conclusions with them, -they would see who would come out the winner. - -She smiled, and her face shone with the light of a glorious graciousness. -In that young woman, with those delicate, refined features, who would -have discovered the bold, sarcastic Sophia Grodsko? What would -Lichtenbach have said, had he seen her, and what would all those have -thought who had known her, so faithless and vice-stained, fatal to all -who had loved her, and whom she had led on to ruin, dishonour, or death? -A young man, the least remarkable of all she had hitherto met, in all -probability, had obtained the triumph of making her uneasy and anxious at -the thought of what might become of him. Following him in imagination, on -his way back to the town, she wondered if it would not have been better -to have kept him by her side, instead of allowing him to rush off to the -burning works, and especially towards the spot where Hans was -watching—Hans, more to be dreaded than all the other scourges combined. - -She rose, and, already repenting of having shown such a lack of decision, -she was deliberating whether or not she ought, herself, to go to Ars, and -find out what was taking place there. Prudence checked the impulse. All -the same, she mounted to the second floor of the villa, on to a balcony -from which a view of the valley could be obtained beyond the trees. There -she quickly saw that the danger, if there had been any, had lessened. The -smoke was disappearing, not a single flame was to be seen, and the hubbub -from the town had calmed down, whilst even the church bell had ceased -ringing. She was about to descend, when she saw Milona open the garden -gate. The servant was coming along the alley with rapid and uneasy steps. -Sophia had a presentiment that she was the bearer of bad news, and gave a -sharp, low whistle. Milo mounted the steps all out of breath, and came -straight to her mistress— - -“I have performed your commission,” she said. “I found Hans. He read your -note, and placed it back in my hands. Here it is.” - -“Good. That is not all. What is the matter?” - -“Agostini is close behind me. He has just landed at Ars.” - -Sophia frowned. A slight blush mounted to her cheeks. Taking a match, she -lit it, and set fire to the paper Milona had handed to her. Thoughtfully, -she watched the ashes fly away in the wind. Then she asked— - -“How is he coming here?” - -“In a cab. Listen, you may hear the horse’s hoofs already.” - -The cab stopped in front of the door, and Cesare descended. The cabman -waited. Sophia slowly descended the staircase, and found herself in the -hall, to receive the handsome Italian. He advanced with shining eyes and -eager gait. Carelessly, and with an air of indifference, she held out her -hand. - -“Well, well! my dear,” said he. “Is this the way you receive me after a -fortnight’s absence?” - -“Silence!” she said firmly; “this is no time for nonsense. Hans at this -very moment is doubtless risking his life to obtain possession of the -powders.” - -“Have you then succeeded with our young victim?” - -“You may see for yourself. There will be more to learn later on.” - -“Diavolo!” - -Rushing from the room, he exclaimed— - -“Milo, tell the cabman to wait.” - -He returned— - -“Who knows if we shall not need him shortly? As I passed by I saw the -town was in the greatest commotion imaginable, and that the works were on -fire. Is this accident an invention of yours?” - -“I believe Hans arranged the whole affair.” - -“Gay disposition, Hans! He is fond of an attractive _mise en scene_. But -I should be glad to have a little lunch; I left Paris quite hurriedly.” - -“Milona will serve you.” - -They passed into the dining-room. The table was set, and Cesare took a -seat. - -“Come and talk to me, my beautiful Sophia. Time has weighed heavy on my -hands since last I saw you. I have vainly sought for distractions.” - -“What have you been doing?” - -“Ah! Trying to win a little money at cards. A kind of fatality seems to -pursue me, my bad luck never leaves me, and I cannot touch a card without -losing.” - -“You have lost much?” - -“Too much! I so easily get excited, you know.” - -“Well, how much?” asked Sophia, impatiently. - -The handsome Italian replied with a smile— - -“Nothing at all, cara; I had the money!” - -“Who gave it you?” - -“Lichtenbach. I was obliged to accustom him to my little fancies. When he -becomes my father-in-law I shall appeal to him rather often.” - -“Take care. He may tire.” - -“He will not be allowed to do so.” - -“His resources are not inexhaustible.” - -“You are jesting. I am well acquainted with the source of his wealth.” - -“Indeed! Who has been informing you?” - -“A relation of mine, the Very Reverend Monsignor Boldi, whom I saw in -Paris a few days ago. Lichtenbach, in addition to his wealth, is a church -trustee. I no longer wonder at the influence he wields. He has the -disposal of immense sums, and of almost limitless power. But he is not a -man of action. He is always hesitating and trembling. Had you seen how -terrified he was when I alluded to his position as a kind of -ecclesiastical banker, you would have laughed outright. Ah! cara, his -brow was covered with perspiration. Whatever can he be afraid of?” - -“From his constituents, nothing. From you, everything. That he doubtless -guessed at once.” - -“Oh! _Mon Dieu_! All that trouble for such a trifle! A mere bagatelle of -forty thousand francs. That cursed baccarat! But Lichtenbach never plays, -except on the Bourse. And there he always wins!” - -“Question!” - -“Ah! Can he, too, be cursed with bad luck?” - -“We are now doing our best to arrange matters so that he may have nothing -but good luck!” - -“The powder affair?” - -“Yes. Listen, what is that?” - -A sound was heard outside. Taking from a cupboard a small revolver, she -slipped it into her pocket, and said—“Are you armed?” - -“I am always armed. What are you afraid of?” - -“Wait!” - -In the silence a curious whistling sound was heard. Sophia’s features -relaxed. - -“It is Hans!” - -A rapid step was heard on the sand of the alley. The door of the salon -opened, and Milona made her appearance, followed by the colossus. He was -still clothed in his mean-looking fisher’s costume. Flinging his hat on -the ground, he removed his blouse and his huge shoes, without the -slightest thought of Sophia’s presence, and exclaimed— - -“Milo, my clothes.” - -Placing on the table a glass recipient and a sheet of paper, he said, -with a grimace— - -“Here it is!” - -“Then you have succeeded at last?” - -Sophia and Cesare approached with a kind of respect, and saw through the -jar the brownish shavings of the powder which had already cost so much -blood! - -“Yes, here it is! This small phial and this piece of paper again -represent the life of a man.” - -“You were surprised in the act?” - -“Yes. And I have killed again.” - -“Who is the victim this time?” exclaimed Sophia, pale as death. - -“Do not alarm yourself, my dear; it is not your turtledove.” - -_He_ gave Cesare a glance, which immediately put the Italian on the -alert. His light, careless attitude disappeared, and a cold, hard look -came into his face. - -“It was a troublesome fellow I have had on my track for several days,” -continued Hans. “A Government spy. It was not the first time we had met, -either. He almost caught me three years ago at Lyons, in the affair of -the Sergeant-Major. I took good note of him at the time, and his account -is now settled!” - -“But will his murder not be discovered?” - -“What then? We must clear off at once; the authorities never trouble -about detectives, that you know very well. This one will undergo a curing -process, with his broken head, in the river, until he is fished out. -Meanwhile, we shall be on the other side of the frontier.” - -Milona entered, carrying a suit of elegant-looking clothes, a grey felt -hat, and yellow shoes. Unceremoniously, Hans dressed himself. - -“The cabman is at the door. Did he see you enter?” asked Sophia. - -“No. I am not such a fool as to show myself to him. It was very -convenient to come along the end of the garden, where the wall is -conveniently low. I am returning the same way, and I would advise you, my -children, to vacate this place as soon as possible. As you are aware, we -are due shortly in Venice. The first who arrives will wait for the rest. -There, I again become Major Fraser.” - -Placing in a leather bag his glass recipient and the folded paper, he -shook hands with Agostini, smiled familiarly to Sophia, and disappeared -as he had come. The Italian gave a kick at Hans’ cast-off clothes, and -said— - -“Milo, all this must disappear, my child.” - -“In the kitchen fire,” said the Dalmatian, gravely. - -“And you, Sophia, what do you intend to do? You have heard what our noble -friend has just said. In my opinion, the best thing we can do is to start -at once.” - -The young woman made no reply. She passed into the salon with slow, -steady steps, as though laboriously seeking the right form to explain her -meaning. Sitting down, she took a cigarette, and, looking at the handsome -Italian standing before her, said— - -“Yes, indeed, I do think you would do well to start off. There is no -reason for you to stay here. As for myself, a sudden disappearance would -excite suspicion; it would, in fact, be a very tactless thing to do.” - -“But will you not be suspected if you remain behind? Will no action be -taken against you?” - -“I? Suspected? In what way? Who could suspect me? Have I done anything -whatever calculated to excite mistrust? There has been no one here except -Marcel Baradier; he alone knows me.” - -“But doubtless he gave you the information by the help of which Hans -succeeded in his enterprise.” - -“He did certainly give it me, a couple of hours ago. The execution has -been concomitant with the revelation, so to speak. By what miracle could -I, who have not stirred from here, have informed the one who entered the -laboratory, and rid himself of his spy? This latter will not speak, as he -is dead! The laboratory will be found ransacked and in disorder. Very -good! Have there not taken place to-day, at the works, sufficient events -in which several rascals have been implicated, without there being any -need to charge me with a deed so much more likely to have been wrought by -any of them? If I leave I shall be suspected. Why have I taken to flight? -How is it I have left no explanation of my departure? What has become of -me? Then, afterwards, what and who am I? Whilst if I remain quietly here -with Milona, Marcel returns, finds me serene and calm, and everything is -safe. Is the arrangement not a good one?” - -Cesare smiled, and, in ironical tones, said— - -“Very good, indeed; too good, in fact!” - -Sophia frowned. - -“What do you mean?” - -Drawing near her, with subtle grace, and still bent on adopting gentle -means, he said— - -“Have you no longer confidence in me, cara? Why are you trying to deceive -me?” - -“In what way, may I ask?” - -“You are not telling me the truth. This is the first time you have played -me false, Sophia.” - -She bit her lips, and turned slightly pale. - -“My dear Cesare, do not ask so many questions. Do as I tell you, as you -have always done hitherto. You have never found it a bad policy, have -you? Very well, continue as before.” - -“No!” - -This refusal rang out sharp as a lash. - -“Ah! Might I be permitted to know the reasons influencing you?” - -“They are the same as yours. You will not come with me on account of this -young Marcel Baradier. But it is on that very account that I am bent on -your accompanying me.” - -“Can you be jealous?” - -“I am.” - -“That is something quite novel; and I must confess I am greatly -surprised!” - -“It is diversity of sensations which gives a charm to life!” - -“Then you think—” - -“That this fair-complexioned young fellow has pleased you more than was -agreed upon in our programme. Now, though I was disposed to allow you to -practice your wiles on him, in the interests of business, I no longer -feel inclined to permit you to flirt with him for art’s sake. The play is -over, let us drop the curtain without continuing the love scene in the -green-room.” - -“You are a very practical lover, Cesare.” - -“Did you not know that before?” - -“I have been very generous to you.” - -“Many thanks.” - -“And now I intend to act as I please, and to-day I cannot obey you.” - -They looked at one another like two wrestlers about to come to close -quarters. Cesare’s eyes sparkled with anger, while Sophia stood there -calm, with lowered eyelids, as though unwilling to meet his look. The -Italian, with an effort, controlled himself, and speaking with affected -gaiety, said— - -“Come, cara, let us not quarrel. We have every possible reason to be -indulgent with one another; have we not been acquainted so long? Tell me -what you have resolved on. I will do all I can to further your wishes. Is -it a week’s liberty you want? When that length of time has elapsed will -you promise to come to Venice? _Mon Dieu_! We may well be complaisant -with one another. I will imagine I am nothing more than the brother of -Madame Vignola, and will bear you no ill-feeling; that I promise. Will -that satisfy you?” - -She replied with a sigh— - -“I do not know.” - -“But I must know.” - -“How can you be so stupid, Cesare, as to speak to the Baroness Grodsko as -you would to any other woman? One would think you had forgotten what she -is when some fancy takes possession of her. My poor friend, I am sorry -for you; Lichtenbach’s company must have spoiled you. You must stop -seeing him; he has turned you into a mere bourgeois!” - -“You are jesting with me?” - -“No!” - -“You refuse to promise to come and rejoin me?” - -“When I left Zypiatine, was he ever a source of annoyance to me?” - -“Then you confess you wish to leave me?” exclaimed the Italian, pale with -anger. - -“You will know later, my friend. At present I have not the slightest wish -to see you again.” - -“Ah! Now you are speaking frankly. Do you forget that we have several -secrets in common?” - -“No; nor do I forget there is no obligation for you to remember them.” - -“That means?” - -Sophia raised her eyelids, and flashed a look on Agostini which -astonished him. - -“It means that if for my own safety your disappearance were necessary, -your life would be very cheap.” - -“You threaten me with death?” - -“Fool! You are well aware that if you breathed a single word calculated -to throw light on our enterprises, there are at least five persons who -would kill you at once.” - -“But the affairs of the association are not your affairs, and you know -that I am acquainted with the ones as well as with the others.” - -“Listen, Cesare; people like ourselves ought to be agreed in everything -we do, if we wish to run no risk of ruin. The slightest discord places us -at the mercy of our enemies. We must serve one another with the greatest -self-sacrifice. Every selfish demand detracts from the force necessary to -common success.” - -“Ah! Do you pretend to impose an apathetic indifference on people who -live with an intensity a hundred times greater than the rest of mankind? -You forget that I love you, and I will submit to no rivalry, Sophia.” - -“And how will you compel me to obey your wishes, may I ask?” - -“In the simplest manner imaginable. I will inform Marcel Baradier of your -life before you gave up your whole existence to international -investigations and diplomatic intrigues, and we shall see if his love for -you will survive, for instance, an account of the incident of Segovia.” - -Sophia turned so pale that Cesare was afraid of the impression he had -produced. Grinding her teeth, and stamping about the room like a wild -beast at bay, she seized upon the revolver she had taken up on the -arrival of Hans, and, levelling it at the head of the Italian, said— - -“Ah, you villain; never again shall you betray a single human being!” - -With extraordinary agility, Agostini leapt on to her, dashed her arm -upwards, so that the shot could not reach him, and pitilessly twisting -her beautiful white wrist, he took possession of the revolver, which he -calmly placed in his pocket. Then looking resolutely at Sophia, he said— - -“Now let the dagger have a turn!” - -She fell into a chair. - -“You dog! To dare to raise your hand against me! You shall be punished -for it.” - -“Good! But we cannot lose our time with such nonsense. Can it be admitted -that the man the Countess Grodsko has chosen as her companion will submit -to being fooled like the veriest ninny? You may hate me if you like, -Sophia, but you shall not despise me! This is the first time we have -tested our strength against one another, and as you see, I have not been -found to be the weaker. Do not recommence the struggle; if you do, I -shall treat you without the slightest gallantry?” - -Shaking her head, and looking at her bruised hand, she said, -submissively— - -“You have hurt me, Cesare!” - -“Whose fault is it? Upon my word, I believe you were mad, for a moment. -You brave me, all for the sake of this young fop! Do you know I am going -to kill him?” - -“I forbid you!” said Sophia, emphatically. - -“I shall be delighted to obey you,” he said gallantly. “There is this -difference between us, that I am dominated by respectful attentions -towards you, and treat you like a sovereign, whilst you, by your language -and your attitude, wish to reduce me to the rank of a lackey! Is that -just?” - -She made no reply. He walked to and fro for a short time, then drawing -nearer said— - -“Never have I seen you in such a passion before. What in the world can -this young fellow have taught you? For the future I shall not be able to -trust you at all, though hitherto I have had the most complete confidence -in you! Is it possible that just now you thought of blowing out my -brains? Afterwards, what would you have done with my body? Your Marcel -would have arrived. He would have found the floor stained with blood, and -my corpse lying in the middle of the salon! How would you have explained -the matter to him? You see, Sophia, it was a fit of madness which came -over you. And all for what? Place in the balance these love-dreams of -yours, weigh them against the immense interests in which you have a part, -and decide whether the former weigh down the latter? Really, women must -at times be mad for one like yourself to give way to such acts of -extravagance!” - -He gave her a side-long glance as he spoke, but the expression on her -face did not appear to satisfy him, so he continued— - -“We neither have nor can have strength, unless we support one another. I -rely on your beauty, and you ought to be proud of my skill and courage. -Wherever we pass, it is your _rôle_ to charm and please, and mine to -defend you. Have I ever failed in my duty? When Colonel de Bredmann, last -year in Vienna, spoke of you in a manner you considered derogatory, did I -hesitate to challenge him the following day, and drive six inches of cold -steel through his throat in the Prater? I must confess that you, with -charming generosity, enabled me to support the run of ill-luck which -always overtook me at the club. Mutual exchange—you, of money; and -myself, of respect. Meanwhile, we carried on our affairs. And with what -success? Do you remember? Was it not better than quarrelling? Come, -Sophia, don’t look so gloomy; I know your feelings are bitter, but don’t -let them be more bitter than my own. Diavolo! Wake up and speak. Give me -an answer.” - -Appearing to shake off the feeling of numbness which had come over her, -she once more looked at her reddened fingers, and said, with a strange -smile— - -“Very well! Order, since it is you who are the master!” - -With displeased air, he replied— - -“No! Don’t adopt such an attitude! Now you are acting the part of a -resigned victim! You must act according to your own free will and -pleasure. I think I have proved to your satisfaction that you are turning -your back on the right path, and that it is time to turn round. Am I not -right?” - -“One is never right when one is the stronger!” - -“That is a woman’s reply. Well, Sophia, I am very sorry, but I will not -assume this advantage of imposing on you any resolution whatever. I leave -you free to do as you wish. Stay or go as you like. For my part, I must -go; I do not feel inclined to let myself be caught in this house like a -fox in a poultry-yard. I will give you ten minutes while you make up your -mind and prepare your luggage. I will smoke a cigarette in the garden. -Decide your future for yourself.” - -He left the room. A flash of hate shone in Sophia’s eyes. She arose, gave -a sigh of despair, and then murmured— - -“He is right!” - -She called for Milona. The servant appeared. - -“The trunk at once. We are leaving,” she said briefly. - -“Good, madame.” - -Sophia sat down before a small desk, took up a sheet of writing-paper -edged with black, and wrote— - - “MY DEAR MARCEL, - - “When you return to the villa I shall no longer be here to receive - you. My brother, to whom I have been denounced by some person - unknown, has arrived in a passion, and is taking me far away. Never - try to see me again. Keep the remembrance of my kisses ever fresh in - your heart. I am carrying off the delicious flavour of yours on my - lips. Good-bye. - - “Yours with life-long regret, - “ANETTA.” - -Sealing the envelope, she placed it in full view on the table of the -salon, and, after looking all around, she went out into the small garden. -Cesare was walking to and fro, along the alley, where she had spent so -many hours by Marcel’s side. She sighed deeply. But her mind was made up, -and she was not a woman to draw back. - -“Well?” asked the Italian. - -“Well, you have convinced me; I will accompany you.” - -“Very good. Now you are yourself again. It was only a momentary weakness -which came over you.” - -“Indeed, I was mad,” she said, mockingly. “Just think, I was in love with -this young Baradier.” - -“That I can well understand,” he conceded graciously. “He is a charming -young fellow. But everything comes to an end. And since, thanks to this -intrigue, you have obtained the result so ardently followed up by Hans, -the only thing we can now do is to quit. And that is what you are now -doing, with your usual good sense. Just now you surprised me, I must -confess, by your resistance. This is the first time I have ever seen you -sentimental. This fit of idyllic tenderness seemed quite incomprehensible -to me. Now, can you explain to me what has taken place?” - -“Oh! It is very simple. In this young Marcel I found a love and affection -at once simple and disinterested, quite refreshing. It seemed as though I -were in a thirsty desert, and came upon a limpid spring, at which no one -had drunk previously. I stopped at the edge, looked into the crystal -water, and the reflected image was so different from myself, that I stood -there astonished and delighted. I thought I was about to find tranquil -rest, and a delightful regeneration, and cease being the Sophia who had -gone through so many adventures, to become a simple harmless woman in the -eyes of a love-stricken swain. Perhaps my mouth would forget its lying, -and my eyes their deceit and fascination! What a dream! And how near -realization! What unexpected happiness, ruined in a moment by your -reappearance. Ah! I have cursed you, Cesare, and Hans as well! But what -can I do, how can I tear myself away from my destiny? It was the height -of madness for me to think that a sincere love could unfold in my heart, -as though a wild floweret of the open fields could spring up in a marsh! -Come, let us think no more of all this. Society shall pay the price of my -disillusion!” - -“Now you are speaking sensibly. But all you have been telling me is most -deplorably romantic. To think of your settling down in a village like the -Dame aux Camelias to live on new-laid eggs with Armand Duval! How -ridiculous! Ah! Here is Milona with your hat and cloak.” - -“Ask the coachman to mount the luggage.” - -Sophia, apparently impassive, watched her trunk and bags change position. -As Cesare stood at the garden-gate calling her, she looked around for the -last time, raised her hands to her lips, and to all she associated with -Marcel—green trees, forms on which they had sat, birds that had sung -above their heads, sky which had shone on their happiness—she sent a -rapid kiss. - -“Are you ready?” asked the Italian. - -“Here I am.” - -“We will not leave by Ars, the town is in too great a commotion. This -worthy coachman will drive us to Saint-Savine, where we will take the -express for Paris.” - -“As you like.” - -“Come along, then, quick!” - -She mounted the open carriage. Milona took up a position opposite her -mistress. A lash of the whip, a sound of bells, and at the turn of the -road everything was out of view. - -It was four o’clock when Uncle Graff, after arranging for the search for -Laforêt, and giving orders for the management of the works, in short -arranging for whatever was absolutely pressing, came for his nephew to go -with him to the Villa de la Cavée. Baudoin, with a trusty revolver in his -pocket, went on in front as a scout. Marcel and his uncle followed, a -hundred yards behind. The excitement of the struggle and danger was now -past, and they were beginning to examine the position more coolly. - -It was not a brilliant one. The boldness and violence of their enemies -had been manifested with too few precautions, for the utmost excesses -were to be dreaded at their hands in case the struggle were continued. -Now, at this moment, they appeared to be on the point of triumph. They -had just obtained possession of the scientific treasure, the commercial -application of which would assure them an enormous fortune. How exultant -they must feel, accordingly! But then, on the other hand, how -disconcerted they would be on attempting to utilize the stolen formula! -As Marcel had said, to obtain the explosive in its full power, and with -its special destructive qualities, a particular manipulation, a twist of -the hand, so to speak, discovered by General de Trémont, was necessary. -They might try to apply the formula; but if they did not know how to -handle the different doses, their hopes would fail of realization. Now -the thief-assassin, who had found his way into the laboratory, had -carried off the precious document, but would it not remain utterly -worthless, like the golden crown in the legend, which changed into a dry -leaf? - -Uncle Graff was meditating on all this as he walked by Marcel’s side. He -said nothing to the young man. What was the use? It was also certain that -the villains, bent as they were on obtaining the secret, had already -killed two men and set fire to the works to accomplish their object. -Granting that they had once more failed, would they not recommence the -struggle, and purchase victory at the cost of no matter what sacrifices? -Under these conditions there was no drawing back; they must risk much to -try and check an offensive return, and not hesitate in case the unknown -beauty were an accomplice in the crimes already committed; it must be -their object to keep her in view, question her, and if need be, deliver -her into the hands of justice in order to try and throw light on this -dark and dangerous affair. - -They reached the wood, and, the house being no more than a hundred yards -distant, Baudoin, who had waited for them, said— - -“I will go all round the garden, and bear off in the direction of the -wood, so that, if any one tries to escape, I may be able to cut off his -retreat.” - -“No,” said Marcel. “Let us remain together.” - -Just at that moment an old woman appeared before them, dragging a faggot -of decayed wood. - -She smiled with her toothless mouth, and, stopping to take breath, said— - -“Is it the young lady of the villa you want to see? If so—” - -“Well?” said Marcel. - -“You will not find her here. An hour ago she went away in a cab with all -her luggage, in the direction of Sainte-Savine. Cacheu, of the Lion d’Or, -drove the cab himself.” - -“Gone?” exclaimed Marcel, stupefied. - -“So it seems,” said Uncle Graff. “The _coup_ is effected.” - -“Impossible!” - -“Poor young man! His walks with the young lady were very agreeable,” -muttered the old woman. - -She shook her head, encircled with a kerchief, accepted the two-franc -piece Uncle Graff slipped into her hand, and walked slowly away, in the -direction of the town, dragging her faggot along the road. - -Marcel had already entered the villa. On the threshold his heart seemed -almost to stop beating. The door remained open, as though, in the hurry -of flight, they had not had time to close it, or rather, as though she -had left nothing behind worth keeping. Crossing the garden, he entered -the hall, and called— - -“Milona! Anetta!” - -No reply came; nothing but silence and darkness. Entering the salon, he -saw a letter lying on the table. Tearing it open, he rapidly ran over the -contents, sat down to read it once more, finally understood it, and sat -there, with bowed head and throbbing brow, as though in the presence of a -terrible disaster. There Uncle Graff found him. He had gone over the -whole house, and acquired the certainty that it was abandoned. Baudoin -was seated in the garden. Seeing his nephew’s anguish and the pallor of -his countenance, the old man’s heart melted; he placed his hand -affectionately on the young man’s head, softly stroked his hair, and -seeing the letter pressed between his passive fingers, asked— - -“Has she written to you?” - -At these words, simple though they were, his fugitive love seemed almost -reinstated in his eyes, as he felt that she had not forgotten him, and -Marcel burst into sobs as he silently held out the paper and hid his face -in his hands. Uncle Graff drew near the window and read the letter, after -which he stood there in a reverie. Marcel, regaining possession of -himself to defend the one he loved, finally rose from his seat, and said -in supplicating accents— - -“Uncle Graff, is this the letter of a woman who lies? Do not her protests -appear sincere to you? Has she the faintest complicity in the crimes -committed? Do you accuse her of having deceived me? Is she not rather a -victim undergoing a rigorous tyranny at the hands of the very monsters -who threaten us? This letter, Uncle Graff, this letter—does it not -breathe despair in every line? Is it not a confirmation of her love for -me?” - -“The letter appears to be sincere,” said the old man, calmly. “I cannot -but recognize that grief is evident in every word, and that the one who -wrote it was evidently acting under compulsion when she left the house. -That is a proof that she loves you, and regrets your absence. But is that -a proof that she is not guilty, and the accomplice of the rest?” - -“Oh, Uncle Graff, do you think it possible?” - -“I do, and I am afraid it is so, my dear Marcel, and that would be more -serious than anything else, for, if this woman loves you—and how could -she help loving you, my dear child, once she knows you—ah, if this woman -loves you, my anxiety will become greater than ever. For she might try to -see you again, and then—” - -A light of hope illumined Marcel’s face. - -“Ah, if only that could be!” - -“Marcel, you see what grounds I had for fear. At the very thought of -seeing her again you at once become radiant with joy. And yet she is a -rascal, there is not the slightest doubt of it. I will not dispute her -charms, since she has obtained such control over you; but she is very -dangerous all the same, for, in short, suppose she were the woman of -Vanves?” - -“Impossible!” - -“Do not say impossible. You know nothing about it. These women, you see, -are terrible creatures. In matters like the one now engaging our -attention they are a kind of female Proteus, capable of assuming all -forms, even the most diverse and disconcerting, to deceive their enemies -and allay suspicion. Cosmopolitan adventuresses, living on human folly; -spies, on the track of State secrets; corruptresses, sufficiently -fascinating to obtain the mastery over all consciences. You are aware -that these women are insinuating and of plausible manners, generally very -beautiful. And this one—” - -“Oh! No, no!” - -Uncle Graff insisted authoritatively. - -“This one, very clever and dangerous, more dangerous than the rest, even, -has played her _rôle_ with you, whilst satisfying her caprice at the same -time. Come, Marcel, be reasonable; do not blind yourself. Why was the man -of Vanves concealed here? Why have the powders been removed from the -laboratory, and why is the house deserted, now that the burglary is -accomplished? It is not a mere departure, it is a flight. Consider the -rapidity and suddenness of the resolution reached. This morning only she -had no thought of it, or, rather, in that case she deceived you, since -she said nothing about it, and was to receive you to-night. Crime and -duplicity are manifest everywhere. You have been deceived by words of -tenderness, whilst the others, her accomplices, were stealing and -murdering.” - -Marcel gave a movement expressive of anger. - -“If only I had the proof of this!” - -Uncle Graff looked at him fixedly. - -“Well, what would you do?” - -“Ah! I would have my revenge, that I swear! All my love would turn into -hate. If my heart has been deceived with lying words, I would tear it out -of my breast, rather than cherish a poisoned love! If that woman was not -a victim, she would be a monster. And, by what I hold most sacred in -existence, I would punish her!” - -The old man looked at his nephew with considerable satisfaction. - -“Oh! _Mon Dieu_! We don’t ask you to do that! Simply forget her. Above -all, make up your mind not to fall into her toils again, if ever you meet -her.” - -At that moment the door opened, and Baudoin appeared. Holding a book in -his hand, he approached mysteriously, and said— - -“It is useful to make a thorough search. One can never examine too well.” - -He laughed as he spoke and held the book aloft— - -“Had I done nothing but cast a careless glance over the lady’s -bed-chamber, I should not have found this.” - -“What is it?” asked Graff. - -“A book—a simple book.” - -Marcel took it up, looked at the title, and said— - -“Yes, it is a book she has been reading lately.” - -“Oh! the book in itself signifies nothing,” said Baudoin. “It had fallen -down by the side of the bed nearest the wall. In a hurry of departure she -did not see it, and it was left there. But there was something between -these leaves.” - -Baudoin took between his fingers a piece of paper, and showed it to his -masters. - -“This envelope, torn in two, and folded to serve as a book-mark. To whom -does it belong, if not to the one who has been making use of it? Now on -the folded part, there is a line of writing and an address.” - -“An address?” - -“Look!” - -He handed the paper to Marcel, and on the small band, concealed by the -folding, the young man read aloud the name: “Madame la Baronne Grodsko.” -The bottom of the envelope, on which was doubtless written the street, -number and town, had disappeared. On the top, however, a large stamp -contained the postmark: “Wien, April 18.” - -The rest was effaced. - -“Baroness Grodsko,” repeated Marcel. “But her name was Anetta Vignola.” - -“Ah!” said Uncle Graff; “these women change their names as easily as -their dresses. She has only kept this envelope from the most incredible -and imprudent carelessness. And how is it this letter, which came from -Vienna a fortnight ago, is now here? It must have been forwarded under -another envelope to the name and address she assumed here!” - -Baudoin then remarked— - -“Perhaps I may be permitted to state that the woman who called on my -master on the night of the crime was addressed by him as Baronne—” - -Marcel turned pale. - -“True,” he murmured, in a low tone. “But what relation is there between -Anetta Vignola and the Baroness Grodsko?” - -“That is what we must discover, for it is the clue which may guide us -through the darkness in which we are now groping. Courage, my child; if -this woman is the same who has committed such infamous actions—” - -“Ah! Uncle Graff, in that case I should feel no pity whatever for her.” - -The uncle shook his nephew’s hand, in sympathetic approval. - -“Now, there is nothing more for us to do here. The house has delivered up -to us part of its secret. The rest we must seek elsewhere.” - -The three men went out into the garden, after carefully closing the -doors, and slowly returned to Ars. - - - -CHAPTER II - - -LICHTENBACH was sitting in his study, listening to young Vernot, his -broker, who was speaking with the utmost volubility. - -“Baradier and Graff will not long be able to maintain their position on -the Explosives now. It has already been remarked at the Bourse that they -have not reduced their stock. The coming liquidation will be a decisive -one; or else they will remain firm; then what a bankruptcy it will be! Or -they may sell everything. What a fall that will mean!” - -A faint smile came over the banker’s lips. - -“I should like to see that!” - -“_Man Dieu_! My dear master, I cannot conceal from you the fact that, in -business circles they say it is a duel between the firm of Baradier and -Graff and the firm of Lichtenbach. One of the two will go under.” - -“I know it; but I have no fear.” - -“I have negotiated this affair for you, so I know our mode of action. -Hitherto it has been an admirable one. To sum up in a word, you have sold -what the Baradiers have bought.” - -“Yes, my friend, and I have their money, as they have my vouchers. Now, -Vernot, be wideawake as to what is about to happen. The explosives, which -are now at their highest price, will rapidly fall to the very lowest.” - -“Are you sure?” - -“Absolutely certain.” - -“Why?” - -“Because a rival company is being formed, which is in possession of the -patents of a product destined to replace, within a very short time, all -the mining powders and other dynamites hitherto employed, and which will -cost fifty per cent. less in commerce. What do you say to that?” - -“It will be a crushing blow!” - -“You are right. Read my journal to-night; it will contain the first -article of a series destined to set forth before the world this new -discovery. In two months from now I wish to see Baradier and Graff -bankrupt!” - -“Oh, they have a long purse to draw on,” - -“We shall see about that.” - -“So now you engage me to sell?” - -“From to-morrow sell as fast as you can. There will be a gain of five -hundred francs per share. You will see the movement begin. All my -personal orders will be executed on foreign Exchanges. Profit by this -opportunity.” - -“I shall not be likely to forget.” - -“Now go. My daughter is expecting me, and I am punctual in my habits.” - -“My dear master, many thanks, and my respectful compliments.” - -The stockbroker left the room. Lichtenbach did not even rise from his -seat to accompany him to the door. He was thinking. From Venice a letter -had reached him which, on the one hand, caused him great satisfaction, -and, on the other, brought him a certain amount of uneasiness. Sophia -Grodsko had written to him: “The war powder is a triumphant success. -Experiments made at Spezzia and Trieste have given prodigious results -with marine cannons. Plates of Siemens steel a foot thick are pierced -like sheets of paper. We have received two million francs, the rest will -come afterwards. The affair is big with magnificent results. Things are -not progressing so well with the commerce powder. Hans has been at work -for the last fortnight at Swalbach with Prunier, from Zurich. He has been -disappointed. All the attempts have been unsatisfactory. They have -manipulated the product in different manners, but no result has been -obtained. The explosive is worth no more than dynamite. True it is not so -dear, but we are far from what we hoped, and from what must actually be -the case. There must be some secret or other in the fabrication of the -powder unknown to us. Hans is trying to find it, and has not abandoned -all hopes of doing so. But, up to the present, fiasco. Don’t be -discouraged, but thank me for telling you the exact truth. Agostini sends -you his best wishes, and informs you that you will shortly receive your -brevet of baron.” - -Lichtenbach growled. - -“Baron! That will be of some use to me, indeed, if this affair fails.” - -Rising, he gave a gesture of defiance. - -“It will not fail! Hans is a skilful chemist. He will find out the -secret. Besides, if need be I will retrace my steps. They will not catch -me so easily, altogether unprepared.” - -He smiled. His daughter entered the room. She was no longer the little -schoolgirl, dressed in the blue convent robe, but an elegant and graceful -Parisienne. The banker looked at her with considerable satisfaction. - -“Are you ready?” - -“Yes, father. It was agreed we should start at four o’clock.” - -“And where are you taking me?” - -“To the Charity Bazaar in favour of the Alsace-Lorraine orphans. You must -come.” - -“I might have sent a cheque.” - -“But I must be there. Madame Sainte-Alix has charge of a stall, along -with several of my old school companions. I promised to be there.” - -“Well, let us start.” - -They set off. The sale took place in the Agricultural Hall of France. All -over the walls hung groups of flags, whilst above a verdant groove stood -a marble bust representing Alsace, with a mourning sash flung across the -breast. The wife of a Deputy from the Vosges, surrounded by a group of -ladies belonging to official circles, performed the honours. A large -double sofa occupied the middle of the room, between two rows of stalls, -in which the most aristocratic families of Alsace and Lorraine were -represented by white haired grandmothers who had never been willing to -acknowledge the conquest of these two lost provinces, and elegant young -ladies, smiling and careless, educated or born in exile, and finding -France beautiful, and life pleasant, even though it were passed far from -their native soil. - -Lichtenbach and Marianne were warmly received immediately they entered -the room. Here the financier’s prestige and the influence of the journal -proprietor could be exercised in uninterrupted sovereignty. Nothing but -smiles on every side. The more republican one’s opinions, the more -unctuous was the respect lavished on Lichtenbach, the reactionary. -Marianne, timid and anxious, was looking for the stall presided over by -Madame Sainte-Alix. - -A young attendant, anxious to serve so rich an heiress, placed himself -under the young girl’s orders, and Marianne passed through the crowd of -buyers and sellers until she reached the stall where her old companions -were selling children’s clothing at five times its real value, and that -without the slightest difficulty. Geneviève de Trémont, dressed in -mourning, presided over the hosiery department. After exchanging a -friendly greeting she asked— - -“Are you all alone?” - -“Oh no. My father has stayed behind for a moment to speak to the wife of -a Senator.” - -“He is going to leave you here for some time?” - -“I do not know. Perhaps it would not be convenient for him to return for -me.” - -Turning towards the nun presiding at the cash-box, she said— - -“Are you pleased with the result of your sales, madame?” - -“We have made three thousand francs since noon, my child. But it will -soon be five o’clock. In an hour everything will be over. We have still a -third of our stock left.” - -“Very well. Send me everything you have not sold to-night,” said the -young girl, simply. - -“Ah, my child, how grateful I feel to you. But what will your father -think?” - -Mademoiselle Lichtenbach smiled calmly. - -“My father? He never opposes my wishes. Besides, I am rich.” - -She exhibited a purse full of gold. - -“And, if that is not sufficient, papa will make me an advance.” - -“Ha, look in front!” said Geneviève de Trémont. “There is Amélie at the -stall of Madame Baradier.” - -Marianne blushed. She remembered what her father had said regarding their -quarrels with the Baradiers and Graffs, and felt considerably embarrassed -in consequence. What kind of relations could be set up between these -hostile families? Suddenly the smiling face of Marcel Baradier awoke in -her memory. The hostility of the parents could not bind the children, -since he had so graciously received Lichtenbach’s daughter when she had -called at the Rue de Provènce. Turning her eyes in the direction of -Geneviève, she recognized the one of whom she was thinking, near the -counter where Madame Baradier and Amélie were selling. He smiled as he -talked to an old man who was purchasing a porcelain vase of a very ugly -pattern. After the bargain was struck he took it from his hands, placed -it gaily back again on to the stall, and said, in tones sufficiently loud -to be heard by Marianne— - -“This is the third time, Uncle Graff, that we have sold it, and it has -been left behind. People don’t object to paying for it, but it is so -frightful that no one will decide to carry it off.” - -The old man put back his purse into his pocket and said— - -“Now, where is the stall of Mademoiselle de Trémont?” - -“We will go there together. The very thing you want, uncle. _Trousseau_ -and baby linen. Indispensable for bachelors!” - -“You rogue!” - -They crossed the room. Suddenly Marcel became very grave; he had -recognized Mademoiselle Lichtenbach. She, too, had seen him approach, -and, trembling, had not had the courage to look him in the face. Uncle -Graff, with his usual good nature, said— - -“Well, Mademoiselle Geneviève, what are you going to sell me? Children’s -hoods? How much a dozen?” - -“Sixty francs, as it is you, Monsieur Graff. And you can leave them with -us if you like.” - -“Certainly. It would be too much trouble to carry them all off.” - -“What you leave us we will give to the Sainte-Enfance institution. After -you have finished, if there is anything which remains one of our friends -has promised to buy it up.” - -“Who is she?” - -“Mademoiselle Marianne Lichtenbach.” - -Graff started. His face changed expression, and he said— - -“The daughter of—” - -As he took a step backwards he heard a gentle voice say— - -“On the ground of charity there are no enemies, only competitors as to -who shall do the most good.” - -“You are quite right, mademoiselle,” replied the old man, with a bow. -“And I will immediately put your precept into practice.” - -Leaning towards the nun, he asked calmly— - -“How much for the contents of the stall?” - -“My dear sir,” stammered Madame Sainte-Alix, astonished. - -“Is two thousand francs enough?” - -“Oh, that’s nothing! I will give four thousand!” - -And Count Cesare Agostini, smiling and elegant, appeared by the side of -Mademoiselle Lichtenbach. - -“Our father has sent me to you, mademoiselle,” he said, with a bow. “He -will be here in a moment, and, really, he would not have tolerated that -_any_ one should rob you of the honour of your generosity at so moderate -a price.” - -Glancing around at those present, and recognizing Marcel he affected a -joyful surprise. - -“Ah! Monsieur Baradier! I am delighted to meet you. We have had a great -deal of trouble since last I saw you. I heard all about it on my return -to call for my sister. I greatly regretted not being able to stay and -tell you how sorry we felt for you. You were so kind and gracious to us -in that quiet country place.” - -He spoke without the slightest hesitation, and with a boldness which -stupefied Marcel. As he looked at Agostini he wondered whether he were -not dreaming—whether this calm, phlegmatic person speaking to him at this -charity bazaar in the heart of Paris, without even thinking of escape, -was indeed the man he suspected of having mystified him at Ars, of being, -doubtless, the accomplice of murderers and incendiaries; at the very -least in collusion with this enigmatical woman whose memory still filled -his heart. He listened with astonishment, and replied— - -“And your sister, Madame Vignola?” - -“Ah! Poor Anetta!” interrupted Cesare. “She is at Venice, engaged in -troublesome family affairs. But she will probably come to Paris this -summer to assist at my marriage.” - -“Ah! You are about to be married, Count?” - -“Yes, M. Lichtenbach has given his consent at last.” - -This news of the marriage of Agostini into the Lichtenbach family -produced an electric effect. Marcel immediately regained full possession -of his faculties. - -Looking at the Italian from head to foot, he said ironically— - -“Ah! you are about to enter the family of M. Lichtenbach. It was to be, -and it would have been a pity could it not have taken place!” - -“I do not understand very well,” replied Cesare. - -“Yes, you understand perfectly. And if you wish further information ask -for it from your sister.” - -“These are strange words,” said the Italian, arrogantly. - -“Every one does as well as he can; all men have not the privilege of -being strange in their actions.” - -Agostini was about to reply, and the two men stood threateningly in front -of one another, when a hand was laid on the Italian’s arm, and the voice -of Mademoiselle Lichtenbach was heard saying— - -“Monsieur le Comte, will you come this way, please? My father is looking -for you.” - -Cesare gave Marcel a defiant glance. Then, turning with flattering -humility to the young girl, he said— - -“Your slightest wish shall be obeyed, mademoiselle. But I shall see this -gentleman again, and—” - -“I forbid you!” - -“Very good.” - -Lichtenbach came up to them. He passed in front of Graff, without -appearing to see him. - -“What is this they are telling me, Count?” he said, addressing Agostini. -“You have been bidding up to four thousand francs for the contents of -this stall? What a trifling sum! You must have had some very sorry -competitors against you!” - -An expression of disdain came over his face as he looked round on Marcel -and Uncle Graff. - -“Formerly my opponents were more tenacious. The struggle for gold has -considerably cooled them down.” - -Turning towards the nun he wrote a few lines on a piece of paper, saying— - -“Here, madame, is a cheque for ten thousand francs.” - -“What shall I give you in return?” asked Madame Sainte-Alix, stupefied. - -“Your prayers,” said Elias, humbly. - -A group had formed round the stall, and a murmur of approving admiration -reached the ears of Lichtenbach. Agostini exclaimed, with emphasis— - -“This is a magnificent gift!” - -“Come along, my daughter,” said Elias. - -Marianne kissed Geneviève de Trémont, and, lowering her head, so as not -to see Marcel, followed her father and Agostini. As she passed in front -of Graff she heard him say— - -“Ten thousand francs’ worth of prayers! At a franc per villainous trick -he has committed he loses nothing!” - -The old man had not time to further exhibit his bad temper, for Marcel -interrupted him— - -“Not so loud, Uncle Graff; his daughter might hear you. Poor child; it is -not her fault!” - -Marianne felt sad at heart, and, more afflicted at the nephew’s -humiliating indulgence towards herself than at his uncle’s scorn for her -father, she left the room. - -Since his return to Paris, Marcel had been restored to the good graces of -M. Baradier. Graff’s story of the conflagration at the works, and the -rescue effected by his nephew, had touched the old man’s heart. The -danger incurred by his brother-in-law, Cardez, and Baudoin, had made him -quiver with anxiety; the intervention of his son at the critical moment, -when even the bravest among the workmen drew back from the danger, had -aroused his enthusiasm. He had taken Marcel in his arms, and said to -Madame Baradier and Amélie, who were sitting there in tears— - -“You seem quite astonished. Did you think this child, on account of a few -silly escapades, was not a fine and brave fellow, after all? For my part -I was sure, if the opportunity occurred, he would act as nobly as he has -done! It is because I knew what he was capable of that I treated him -harshly when he went astray. But, after all, he is a Baradier!” - -The same evening, alone with his wife, he said— - -“Indeed, I am very well pleased with Marcel. Graff has told me things -concerning him which have touched me very much. I am beginning to hope -that, once the passion and giddiness of youth is over, he will turn out a -remarkable man. All he lacks is a certain amount of order. But that will -come in time. He is both intelligent and warm-hearted. Now, it is time he -thought of marrying.” - -“He is only twenty-five years of age.” - -“The very best age imaginable. One’s happiness in life is assured when -one finds a good partner and marries young, as I did. What kind of -attitude does he show with regard to Geneviève?” - -“He treats her like a sister, neither more nor less.” - -“Not the slightest sign of flirtation?” - -“I believe she has a faint liking for him, but I know nothing about his -feelings for her.” - -“Ask Amélie a few discreet questions.” - -“I will think of it.” - -Marcel’s mind was occupied with things entirely different. He thought of -everything except marriage. His return home appeared very pleasant, for -he was very fond of his parents. Perhaps the exile’s son, more than -another, possessed a liking for home. He had so often heard his father -and uncle regret the old home at Metz, their friends and customs of -former times, that the bonds which attached him to his father’s house -were very strong, and when away from them all something essential seemed -to be lacking in his life. Doubtless this something was his father’s -affectionate chiding and his mother’s consoling smile. - -Since his return he spent almost the whole of his time out of the office; -went out very little at nights, and worked away at a task known to no one -except Uncle Graff. M. Baradier, greatly troubled at the turn of events -the Explosives had taken, expressed his anxiety to no one but his -partner. Uncle Graff, however, calmly replied— - -“We must keep wide-awake, but we need not exaggerate the danger. -Everything will come out right in the end, that I am sure of.” - -“Eh! Do you expect a miracle?” murmured Baradier. “These Explosives -shares continue to go down, in spite of all our efforts. Yesterday there -was a rumour out on the Bourse that a patent had just been taken, in -Germany, England, and France, by an Englishman named Dalgetty, for some -marvellous powder or other superior to dynamite. They go so far as to -state that this substance is so manageable and harmless, in spite of its -destructive power, that they expect to make use of it for engine power. -That would mean the suppression of steam, gas and petroleum. A complete -revolution. If a quarter of all this is true we are ruined! Doubtless it -is an application of Trémont’s formulæ, and Dalgetty is the dummy of the -villains who stole them.” - -“Possibly,” murmured Graff, calmly. - -“And you can find nothing else to say?” exclaimed Baradier, furiously. -“You resign yourself to all this robbery and murder?” - -“No; I am simply waiting for the Dalgetty powder in use. It may be the -Trémont explosive, but then, on the other hand, it may be something -entirely different, and in that case worth nothing at all.” - -“But suppose we are ruined in the meantime?” - -“We shall obtain the upper hand in the long run.” - -“But it is this villain of a Lichtenbach who is leading the campaign -against us. This is what I am informed from both London and Brussels.” - -“Give him his head. The farther he goes the greater will be his fall.” - -“I should like to know the cause of your confidence.” - -“It is Marcel, your son, who is stronger in himself, than Trémont, -yourself, myself, and all the others. You will see.” - -“But, after all, cannot you tell me?” - -“No, I will say nothing. Let Dalgetty go ahead, and the shares continue -to lower. Above all else, do not sell. He laughs best who laughs last.” - -The calm assurance of Uncle Graff had its due impression on Baradier at -the time. But afterwards, in his study, in front of his correspondence, -which brought him nothing but bad news, fear again took possession of -him. He was aware that Marcel was working hard. He saw him start every -morning for the laboratory of the Arts-et-Métiers. But what was he -engaged in? Doubtless some improvement of the Trémont powder; perhaps -simply the exact doses of the products. How could he prove, after all, -that he knew the dosing, which was the General’s invention? And Baradier, -red and excited, would take up his hat and go out for a walk, to avoid a -congestion. - -At night, when they were dining, he again saw Marcel in the salon, seated -between his mother and sister, or playing the piano with Geneviève de -Trémont. He was an excellent musician, this son on whom Nature had -lavished such gifts. And Uncle Graff, a passionate melomaniac, lay -stretched out in an armchair, listening, in delighted ecstasy, to some -_lied_ of Schubert or a concerto by Schumann. He pointed out to Baradier, -who had entered the room on tip-toe, the charming picture of these two -young people playing duets together, and murmured— - -“What a fine couple. She is dark; he is fair. Perfect match. And as their -fortune—the General’s powder.” - -“Nothing but smoke!” growled Baradier. - -“No, it does not give any,” laughed Uncle Graff. - -In his partner’s feeling of security, though he was mistrustful enough in -business matters, there was a kind of unconsciousness which astonished -Baradier. Evidently Marcel was preparing something extraordinary, which -Graff was well aware of and which promised to have extraordinary results. -But what was it? Besides, with rascals who went about everywhere carrying -into action their murderous plans, under the indulgent regard of the -Government, was one sure of anything? Accordingly he fumed and raged, but -that in itself was something, and kept him occupied. - -Baudoin, on his part, had not remained inactive. His first visit had been -to Colonel Vallenot. He had found him at the War Office, busily engaged -on a question the Minister was to receive from a socialist Deputy, who -complained that anarchist journals were not permitted in barracks. How -could the people be educated if the soldier were refused the right of -knowing why it was his duty to despise his superiors? The good Colonel -had bristled up like a wild boar. Only the night before he had been -abused by his superior, who, greatly worried, himself, had passed on his -ill-temper to the other, and so it descended from grade to grade right -down to the concierge. The latter had given a drubbing to his dog, which -had been at a loss to understand the reason for this treatment. It was -the only difference between the animal and the functionaries. - -“What is it you want?” growled Colonel Vallenot to Baudoin, as he -saluted. “To see the Minister? Well, you are lucky. If you go in there I -will not guarantee your safe exit. And, then, what is it you want to tell -him? That the agent he had placed at your disposal has disappeared? It is -now three weeks since we heard from him.” - -“I have brought you news of him.” - -“Ah! What is the matter?” - -“He is dead.” - -“The deuce! How did that happen!” - -“He has been killed.” - -“Who has killed him?” - -“The same who killed General de Trémont.” - -“What was his object?” - -“The same as before—to obtain possession of my master’s secrets.” - -“Was he successful?” - -“Yes.” - -“So now he is in possession of the powder formula?” - -“He is.” - -“Well, this is a fine business. We suspected something of the kind, for -we have received notice from abroad that experiments have been made with -smokeless powder of extraordinary power.” - -“That is the one.” - -Colonel Vallenot had forgotten all about the Deputy’s question. He pulled -and twisted his moustache furiously. Finally he asked— - -“When was poor Laforêt murdered?” - -“Nearly a fortnight ago. But it was only later that we had the proof of -his death. The poor fellow had been flung into the river, and the current -had carried him into a millrace. He remained several days fastened to -some piles under water, and it is only just recently that his body -mounted to the surface. It was taken out, recognized, and buried as was -fitting for an old soldier and an honest man. Now he is lying under the -green turf of the cemetery of Ars.” - -“And his murderers?” - -“Ah, that is what I have come to speak to the Minister about. I know the -villains.” - -Vallenot sat upright. - -“Those spies! You know who they are?” - -“And you, also, Colonel, without doubt, for this is not their first -attempt. The Minister, before now, has had a crow to pick with them. They -are professionals in treason!” - -The Colonel rose, and, with changed expression, said— - -“Ah! Here, at any rate, is something which will distract him! I will risk -entering his room without being summoned. Yes, it is possible such news -may restore him to good humour again. Wait for me here.” - -Opening a door, he left the room. Baudoin, standing near the -mantel-piece, stood there a few minutes ‘attentively listening to the hum -of voices which proceeded from the next room; then suddenly the door -opened, and a voice called— - -“Baudoin!” - -The old soldier advanced, and, on reaching the threshold of the study, he -saw the Minister standing there, a frown on his face, which was even -redder than usual. - -“Come in!” he said. - -Baudoin entered. The General, who wore a black frock-coat and grey -trousers, was striding to and fro. Vallenot stood waiting in the -embrasure of the window. - -“The Colonel informs me that you have very important news to relate -concerning the death of M. de Trémont and my agent.” - -“Yes, General.” - -“You think you know the rascals who have committed these murders?” - -“Yes, General.” - -“Tell me all about it.” - -“I must ask permission to speak in the presence of no one but yourself. -It is a secret which interests the lives of those who are too dear to me -to warrant my entrusting it to any other than yourself.” - -“Not even to Colonel Vallenot?” - -“A secret which belongs to several persons,” said Baudoin, coldly, “is no -longer a secret. I will tell it either to the Colonel or to yourself.” - -“Very good, my friend, you are right. Will you retire, Colonel Vallenot? -This good fellow means no offence. I approve of his thoughtfulness.” - -Vallenot smiled and saluted. It was evident he would gladly have stayed. -But his chief had given the order. A quarter of an hour later the -telephone bell rang. Placing the apparatus to his ear, he heard the -Minister call out— - -“Bring me File Z, No. 3, from the secret press.” - -Vallenot opened a large iron safe, and took out a yellow bundle of -papers, which he carried into his chief’s room. Baudoin was standing -before the desk, and the General _was_ attentively listening to him. -Vallenot withdrew. Another interval for a quarter of an hour, then a -fresh ring at the telephone— - -“Send me Captain Rimbert, who had charge of the Valance affair.” - -Vallenot murmured— - -“The deuce! There is something in the wind here!” - -Ringing for his office-boy, he gave the order and waited patiently. Half -an hour passed, then the study-door opened, and Baudoin, conducted by the -General himself, appeared. The latter now appeared satisfied, and said— - -“Very good, Baudoin; so it is understood?” - -“Yes, General.” - -“You will request M. Marcel Baradier to call on me?” - -“Yes, General.” - -“And if you hear of anything, let me know of it at once.” - -“Yes, General.” - -“Good day. Come in, Vallenot.” - -Baudoin left the room. The Minister returned to his study, where the -young Captain Rimbert stood waiting. - -“Colonel, will you kindly make out a _resumé_ of the Espurzheim and -Vicomte de Fontenailles affairs. I believe we are on the point of laying -our hands on this crafty woman who so completely tricked all my -predecessors, and mystified myself two years ago. Ah! If I can have my -revenge it shall be a complete one!” - -“Then we have to deal with the woman who has successively borne the name -of Madame Ferranti, with Espurzheim, . . . ” said the Colonel. - -“And of Countess de Vervelde, with poor Fontenailles,” added Captain -Rimbert. - -“And finally of La Ténébreuse,” summed up the Minister. - -“Oh! What trouble and money the wretch has cost us without our succeeding -in laying hands on her!” - -“Well, gentlemen, we will try not to fail this time. Prepare the notes I -requested, Colonel. And you, Captain Rimbert, not a word!” - -Both Colonel and Captain left the room. The Minister rubbed his hands -with satisfaction. Meanwhile Baudoin had made his way along the quays, -and reached the Law Courts as four o’clock was striking. Crossing the -large entrance hall, he mounted to the second floor, and stopped in front -of M. Mayeur’s study. The attendant was an old friend of his, and -welcomed him cordially— - -“Holloa! you here?” he asked. “Have you come as witness in another -affair?” - -“No. I simply wish to speak to the magistrate. Is he engaged?” - -“Always! Just now it is a gang of oil-painting thieves, who have been -overhauling the hotel of a marquis in the Champs-Elysées.” - -“Can I speak to him?” - -“As soon as he rings, I will tell him you are here. Ah, he is in no -amiable mood. He and the attorney seem to be quarrelling all the time!” - -The bell rang, a door opened, and three men of slouching gait, regular -types of Parisian blackguards devoured by absinthe, advanced, casting -sly, searching looks in every direction. But there were neither doors nor -windows by which they could gain the open-air, so they quietly continued -their route. - -The attendant said— - -“M. Baudoin, will you come in now? M. Mayeur is disengaged.” - -The old soldier entered the study. The registrar looked at him as he -passed with a certain amount of curiosity. M. Mayeur smilingly pointed to -a chair, placed his papers in order, and, turning to the clerk, said— - -“You may go now. Put all the files in order. Goodbye.” - -The clerk gave a grimace, which might at will have been taken as a mark -of politeness or of insolence, and withdrew. M. Mayeur, doubtless tired -of questioning, looked steadily at Baudoin, and invited him to explain -himself. - -“I undertook, monsieur, to inform you of whatever fresh might happen -concerning the Vanves affair. I have come to keep my promise.” - -“Has something taken place of a nature to throw light on the affair?” - -“A great deal has happened.” - -“What?” - -“A fire, a murder, and a robbery!” - -M. Mayeur’s face lit up. - -“And where have these crimes been committed?” - -“At Ars, in the Aube.” - -The magistrate’s countenance darkened, as though the inner light which -had just illumined it had died away. He said— - -“In the Aube? That is not within our jurisdiction, and does not concern -us.” - -“I beg your pardon; it concerns us very much. For the people who have -committed these crimes have also the Vanves affair to their credit, and -it is for this affair, of which the other is only the consequence, that -they are wanted.” - -“Then you know them?” - -“I do.” - -“And you know where to lay hands on them?” - -“No. But I can tell you how to do so.” - -“So the affair we were so unfortunately obliged to shelve a couple of -months ago is about to recommence? Perhaps this time we shall be able to -reach a satisfactory conclusion!” - -“I maintain without the slightest hesitation that we shall succeed if you -will do your duty.” - -“I?” exclaimed M. Mayeur, his face purple with agitation. “I! After all -the trouble I have had, and the humiliation I have endured.” - -He felt that he was giving himself away. The passionate and ardent nature -of the man disappeared, and the calm, cold nature of the magistrate -resumed sway. - -With a sigh, he said— - -“Tell me everything in detail.” - -Baudoin resumed one by one all the events that had taken place at Ars. He -depicted the character of Madame Vignola, and of Agostini, and finally -explained the dreaded intervention of Hans. Motionless, the magistrate -listened, taking short notes from time to time. The time sped swiftly -along, the sun as it sank tinged with a ruddy glow the waters of the -Seine, and the veil of darkness had fallen when the magistrate ceased -listening, and began to question. - -“So this Cesare Agostini is in Paris?” - -“M. Graff, M. Marcel’s uncle, has seen him, and M. Marcel has spoken to -him. It appears he is engaged to the daughter of M. Lichtenbach, the -banker.” - -“Lichtenbach? A man in his position, with his fortune and relations? Is -it possible?” - -“You will see. If you wish to know where Agostini lives, set a watch over -Lichtenbach. They are hand and glove with one another.” - -“And the woman Vignola?” - -“Agostini will take you to her abode. And when you have the Vignola, you -come to Hans, and the rest of the accomplices, if there are any. And I -believe there is a whole gang of them!” - -“And what will M. Marcel Baradier do?” - -“Do not trouble about him; he does not wish to appear in the matter. A -mere question of scruples!” - -“But suppose some attempt is made against him? Does he not wish me to -take precautions to assure his safety?” - -“No. He is strong enough to protect himself. Besides I am with him.” - -“And so was Laforêt.” - -“Yes, that is true; still, it is my master’s wish—do not do any more than -he asks you to undertake. I think you will be well pleased with the -result. That has cost dear enough! But if we can obtain vengeance for the -murder of my General and poor Laforêt we shall be quits!” - -“Very well,” said the magistrate. “If I need you, M. Baudoin, where can I -find you?” - -“I am living with my master, M. Baradier.” - -“Good. Now that you have been working so well, it is my turn. This gang -will find that they have not been mocking at justice with impunity.” - -“Ah! This has been going on a considerable time, from what I understand -at the War Office.” - -“I shall put myself into relations with that Office; we will act in -co-operation. Keep your courage up, and have good hopes, M. Baudoin; the -affair is about to start afresh.” - -Baudoin, conducted to the door by the magistrate, went out into the -passage, shook hands with the attendant, and left the building. Returning -straight to the Rue de Provènce, he mounted to Marcel’s rooms. - -This evening he was seated in a small salon examining with minute care -the plan for a machine at which he was working. On seeing Baudoin enter -he placed the diagram on the table, looked at his visitor, and said— - -“You have just left?” - -“Yes, M. Marcel.” - -“You have seen the Minister?” - -“Yes. At the very first words I uttered he was all attention. He wishes -to see you, and affirms that the lady in question is a spy of the most -dangerous category, who has had the police on her tracks for the past six -years. That woman must have a number of crimes on her conscience.” - -“That is not what I asked you,” said Marcel. “Are they going to take -measures to keep a watch on Agostini and his companions? If so—” - -“The Minister told me that was the business of the Detective Department, -and advised me to see Mr. Mayeur. I have just left him. Ah! he will not -allow the affair to lag.” - -“Good!” - -The tinkling of a bell in the yard interrupted the conversation. It was -the signal for dinner, which, from time immemorial, had thus been -announced every evening, as is the custom in the provinces. Marcel took -off his coat, and replaced it by another, after which he made his way to -the salon. On entering, his father, Uncle Graff, the two young ladies, -and Madame Baradier, were already waiting before passing into the -dining-room. More comfort than luxury was evident everywhere; not the -slightest sign of ostentation was manifest. Usually, dinner was the time -when all the company related the events of the day. This evening one -would have thought that nobody wished to speak. All the same, Graff, when -the joint was brought on the table, risked the remark— - -“The Bourse has been firmer to-day.” - -“No great improvement!” growled Baradier. - -A deeper silence than before followed. But Uncle Graff had the patience -of a Lorraine, and he continued after a while— - -“I have received a letter from Cardez, in which he says they have reached -the second floor of the new building. The Assurance Company has paid the -claim. After all, everything has turned out for the best.” - -“Are the workmen quiet now?” asked Madame Baradier. - -“Poor creatures! They were sorry for what they had done. But they were -not responsible. It was the leaders of the strike! The deuce take them!” - -“Have they fixed upon a larger building-site for a new steam-engine?” -asked Baradier, who forgot his bad temper as soon as business was on the -tapis. - -“Father,” interrupted Marcel, “I should advise you to postpone this plan -of yours. Something might happen which would cause the system of power -employed in the works to be radically changed. Better wait a little.” - -“Mere idle fancies and whims! Some wild impracticable invention, I -suppose.” - -“No,” replied the young man, with warmth. “No idle fancy at all! My dear -Geneviève, it would cover your father’s name with glory, for it was he -who had the idea of this invention first, and, indeed, if it is -realizable, as I believe will be found to be the case, it will bear his -name.” - -“Then this is something at which you have been working the last month?” -asked Baradier, inquisitively. - -“The last two years, father. It is on this application of the regulated -explosive power of the Trémont powder—you understand, regulated, that is -the point—that I have been working with the General. We were on the point -of success when he disappeared. But I was in possession of all the plans, -sketches, and calculations we made together, and I have continued the -work all alone.” - -“And you think you have succeeded?” - -“I do.” - -“And what result will you attain with your machine?” - -“A substitute for coal, petroleum, and even electricity, in the -production of force. That is to say, the suppression of magazines in war -vessels, permitting them to increase to an indefinite extent their sphere -of action. There would be no necessity for locomotives to be supplied -with a tender, and in all industries coal need only be used for -metallurgic and heating purposes.” - -“Oh, oh!” said Baradier. “And what will you put in the place of coal, -petroleum, and electricity?” - -“That, my dear father, is what I will tell you the day the patents have -been taken all over the world.” - -“When will you take them?” - -“To-morrow, if you will advance me the forty thousand francs necessary.” - -“I will give you them,” exclaimed Uncle Graff, with warmth. “I have -confidence in you.” - -“Who says I am not ready to advance the sum myself?” resumed Baradier. “I -would do it merely to honour the memory of Trémont.” - -“Very good, father; I warrant you have never advanced money at better -interest,” said Marcel, joyfully. “It is a discovery calculated to -completely change the methods of commerce, and yet it is the simplest -thing in the world!” - -“Like all good inventions!” - -Baradier remained silent for a moment, and then said— - -“But the invention of this machine is connected with the discovery of the -Trémont powders?” - -“Yes, father.” - -“And the powders have been stolen?” - -A sad smile passed over Marcel’s lips. - -“Yes, father, the powders have been stolen. The war powder, for instance, -and it is very unfortunate. For the General intended to present France -with this marvellous product, which would have assured for our army a -supremacy of several years over the other Powers of Europe. Then you know -what would have happened; foreigners would have set to work, and either -discovered or bought our secret, and equilibrium again have been -restored. There will be no superiority for any one, since the formula of -the Trémont war-powder will be given by me to-morrow to the War Office. -That will establish equality. And if there is war, valour and -intelligence will have to undertake the victory. As for the business -powder, that is another matter. They may have stolen the formula, even -manufactured it themselves, but I defy them to find the means of using it -for its destined purpose.” - -“There is a secret about it?” - -“Yes, which I discovered quite by chance when working with the General. -That is the peculiarity of this powder, which, under ordinary conditions, -is destructive enough, being ignited by simple friction—in a word, very -dangerous to use; but which, employed according to our method, is under -perfect control, and regulates its dynamic effects, even to the movement -of a pendulum, according to my pleasure.” - -All present were listening attentively, thinking of the importance of -this discovery, and the wretched fate of its initiator. M. Baradier said— - -“To-morrow you shall have your money. If the affair is worth merely the -hundredth part of what you claim, Geneviève will be rich and Trémont -world-famed.” - -“As for the Explosives Company,” added Graff, “it is in a bad way. -Lichtenbach is likely to have met his match at last!” - - - -CHAPTER III - - -IT was five months since Marcel had solemnly promised his father to break -with his giddy companions, give up his fast life, and no longer set foot -in the club, but, instead of all this, to work and obliterate the acts of -folly he had previously committed. Scrupulously keeping his word, he -withdrew to Ars, and only seldom appeared in Paris. So well had he worked -that the result of his efforts were manifest. The Minister, after the -conversation he had had with Marcel, had expressed himself to Baradier, -concerning the young savant, in such terms that the father was quite -disarmed. All these deprivations of rights, which he had patiently -submitted to, were now removed, and, not without considerable -satisfaction, this fine young fellow of twenty-six years of age had -resumed his former habits. - -The first time he appeared at the club he had been welcomed with open -arms by his companions, young and old alike. - -“What has become of you; we have seen nothing of you for several months! -Probably you have been travelling?” - -Marcel replied that he had indeed been away from Paris, but added that he -had been thinking seriously concerning gambling, and had determined to -give up baccarat. - -“How often have I heard you talk in that way,” said the Baron de Vergins. -“All the same, you could not resist the temptation to play if you were in -front of the baccarat-table a single quarter of an hour!” - -“Come along, then, and you will see.” - -They passed into the large room. Beneath the ceiling floated a grey mist -of tobacco smoke, like a fog. - -On either side of the room was a green table, around which thronged a -crowd of sour-visaged punters. - -“Ah! You have two baccarat-tables now,” remarked Marcel. - -“Yes; it is an innovation. At the one the minimum stake is a louis; at -the other, it is ten francs. So that, when a punter has had a run of -ill-luck at the large table, he goes to the small one to try and recoup, -with the privilege of returning afterwards to the other, to lose once -more what he may have won.” - -“Very ingenious. A double sieve from which nothing escapes!” - -He approached the large table, and his look immediately became fixed. In -front of him, dealing the bank, he had just recognized Agostini. -Impassive and smiling, a flower at his buttonhole, he gracefully -distributed the cards at both tables. He did not see Marcel. With his -sing-song voice he called out— - -“Cards!” - -Marcel, addressing the Baron de Vergins, asked— - -“Who is the banker?” - -“Count Cesare Agostini.” - -“Newly joined the club?” - -“For a time. Agreeable fellow, good fencer, and reckless player.” - -“Is he lucky?” - -“Ah, no. He has very bad luck. Loses more than any one else, in fact.” - -“Do you know anything about him?” - -“He was introduced by the Prince de Cystriano and M. Beltrand. The -Agostini family is well known; they are the younger branch of the great -Italian family, the dukes of Briviesca.” - -“Why do they receive so many foreigners at the club?” asked Marcel, with -a displeased air. - -“Ah, my dear friend, the club lives on them, so to speak. I know they -make themselves as much at home here as at their hotel. It is not very -pleasant for us. But what is there to be done? The establishment must be -kept going.” - -“Has he any relations in Paris?” asked Marcel. “A sister?” - -“No; he is unmarried, and has never been seen in the company of a lady.” - -Marcel changed the conversation, made an excuse for leaving his -companion, and went to the writing-room. Taking up a directory, he found -a recent indication, handwritten as follows: “Count Cesare Agostini, 7 -Rue du Colisée.” It was something to know this address, though what he -wanted was information respecting that mysterious woman, Anetta or -Sophia, Madame Vignola or the Baroness Grodsko. What was Agostini to him -besides that infinitely charming creature, who had suddenly become -metamorphosed into a most dangerous monster. Her brother, really? Her -accomplice, without the slightest doubt. That was what he wished to know, -and, at the risk of the greatest danger, he was determined to have his -doubts removed. - -He had taken a seat in a large armchair, the back of which, turned -towards the door, almost entirely concealed him. Two members of the club -were writing letters. The quiet of this retired spot, the ticking of the -timepiece, seemed to numb his faculties. The murmur of distant voices -lulled him into a reverie. - -Suddenly a quiver ran over him, and he listened attentively. The voice of -Agostini had just joined in the conversation. - -“I have again lost two thousand louis. With the thousand yesterday, it is -quite enough.” - -He laughed, and one of his companions said— - -“You ought to hold off for a few days, Agostini! It is useless being -obstinate against ill-luck.” - -“But if I did not play, what should I do? It is my only distraction.” - -“That was a beautiful lady, at the opera, to whom you introduced Colonel -Derbaut the other night.” - -Marcel’s heart seemed to stop beating. He had a presentiment that the -woman in question was the one who was engaging his own attention so -strongly. He could not hear Agostini’s reply, and the other continued— - -“If she is no more than a compatriot of yours, I should be pleased to -make her acquaintance.” - -Agostini laughed, but made no promise. And Marcel said to himself: “His -compatriot? An Italian? It is Anetta, I am sure of it. What is she doing -here with this villain? The army once more in danger, for she has made -the acquaintance of Colonel Derbaut, a staff-officer.” Meanwhile, he had -lost the thread of the conversation, but a second sentence told him all -that was necessary— - -“Very good! To-night, at the opera?” - -“Agreed!” - -Silence was restored. The members of the club continued their -correspondence. Marcel rose from his seat, sure that he was about to meet -the pretended sister of Agostini. She was not in Italy, as the adventurer -had had the audacity to tell him at the charity sale. She was in Paris -and, without thinking of the past, engaged on some fresh intrigue. Along -whatever path she travelled she sowed corruption, infamy, and death. - -Suddenly in Marcel’s memory arose the smiling, tender image of Madame -Vignola with that bewitching smile, and those clear, limpid eyes. Was it -possible that such a creature should be a monster? If so, then one -greatly to be dreaded! - -How can one help trusting in that exquisite gentleness which pervaded her -whole person? And yet, had she not betrayed him? Had she not revealed the -presence of the secret documents in the laboratory? And that, too, with -marvellous rapidity, and a skill scarcely compatible with honesty. He -would have liked to free her from every suspicion which hung over her; -but was it possible? - -Leaving the club, he returned to the bank, and, entering his father’s -study, found his uncle Graff, attentively reading an evening paper. The -old man arose on seeing his nephew enter, and, holding the printed sheet -out to him, said— - -“See here, Marcel, here is an article on this affair of ours. It is a -report of a meeting of the Academy of Science, where Professor Marigot -read his notice on the Trémont powder.” - -Marcel carelessly took the journal. Without even glancing at it, he laid -it on the desk. - -“Is that all the interest you take in the matter?” exclaimed the uncle. -“You are not inquisitive about the effect produced by Marigot’s official -communication? Very well, I will tell you what he says. The _Globe_ has -given up a whole column to the discovery, which it states is an important -one, and it predicts, within a short date, a revolution in the use of -motive power. On the other hand, the _Panache Blanc_, Lichtenbach’s -journal, is dead against the invention, which it qualifies as a -shamefaced imitation, insinuating that it is simply the Dalgetty process, -without the slightest change in the doses of the products.” - -“What a brazen falsehood!” Marcel exclaimed, unable to restrain himself. - -“Here is something better. At the Bourse a rumour has got abroad that the -Explosives Company is in possession of the Trémont patents, and the -shares have begun to mount, in spite of the desperate efforts of the -bears. Accordingly, our situation is saved, and, on the other hand, that -of Lichtenbach seems to be in a terrible pass!” - -“You do not expect me to get excited over that?” - -“I do not, indeed. But your father, who for the past three months has -hardly been able to sleep, is now happy and smiling. He has just gone to -Aubervilliers to examine a plot of land, covering seven acres, which has -been offered to us, and which would be the very spot for constructing the -works necessary. He is especially pleased at owing this result to you. -Though not very expansive, he is enthusiastic and warm-hearted, and -exceedingly proud to be obliged to confess that you are so gifted. Up to -the present, it is Trémont that has been mentioned, but, when it is known -that it is you who brought the affair to its completion, and your name is -in everybody’s mouth, as soon will be the case, then you will see your -father expand.” - -Marcel made no reply. He walked to and fro in the study, with so -absent-minded an air that Graff exclaimed— - -“What a strange fellow you are! And yet you must be well pleased with -what I have been telling you. Though you will scarcely listen to me. What -is the matter with you?” - -The young man shook his head, and, with an attempt at a smile, said— - -“There is nothing the matter with me, Uncle Graff. What do you expect me -to say?” - -“Ah! Perhaps you have no suspicion of the plans Baradier has been forming -for you. He explained them to me this very morning. We are going to put -Marcel at the head of the works as director. At the same time he shall be -one of the managing directors of the Explosives Company we are about to -completely reorganize. You see, Marcel, you are about to play a very -important _rôle_ in life at twenty-six years of age. And your father -added, ‘If he will marry, I shall no longer have anything to wish for. He -will have satisfied me in everything.’ What do you think of the idea? I -believe he was thinking of Geneviève de Trémont. What will your reply -be?” - -Marcel replied quietly— - -“Nothing whatever, Uncle Graff.” - -The old man touched Marcel on the shoulder, and, looking attentively at -him, said— - -“I do not understand you, Marcel; there is something you are hiding from -me. Have you seen the woman of Ars again?” - -This time, the young man broke out— - -“No, I have not seen her; but I know she is in Paris. I know where I -shall see her this evening. Uncle Graff, I intend to have the key to this -living enigma.” - -“Ah! My child, there is no enigma; she is simply a villain, nothing more! -How anxious you make me in still troubling yourself with this woman! Take -care! You know how dangerous she and her companions are. Remember the -poor General, and this brave fellow killed at Ars. Just inform the -police, she will be arrested, and all will be over.” - -“If I were certain she were as guilty as you suspect her to be, I would -do so. Though it is not very gallant to give up a woman.” - -“What! Chivalry with such people?” - -“But I have my doubts, Uncle Graff. I cannot make up my mind to condemn -her unheard.” - -“Yes! In a word, you wish to see her again. Don’t tell me any idle -stories; I am not so stupid as to be taken in by them. She still holds -you in her power. And you are about to risk being murdered, in some dark -corner or other, for the pleasure of being deceived once more by such a -traitress.” - -“Uncle Graff, no one will kill me at the opera. It is there I rely on -seeing her to-night.” - -“Are you in earnest?” - -“Have you disposed of your orchestra stall?” - -“No.” - -“Very well, give it to me.” - -“Promise me you will do nothing extravagant, and that if this woman wants -you to accompany her, you will not do so.” - -“No; I cannot promise that. But I will be on my guard all the same. -Agostini shall not knock me over like a pigeon.” - -“Take a good revolver with you.” - -“Certainly.” - -“Ah! _Mon Dieu_! And I was feeling so happy!” groaned the old man. -“Suppose you take Baudoin with you?” - -“Under no pretext. Be assured, however, I am running no risk this time. -Later on, we shall see.” - -The arrival of Baradier cut the conversation short. Marcel returned home -to dress before dinner. - -That evening the _Walkyrie_ was being given at the opera. When Marcel -reached his stall, the second act was commencing. The domestic troubles -of Wotan, the Scandinavian Jupiter, with Fricka, a real Juno without her -peacock, possessed only a slight interest for the young man. Turning -round, he leaned his elbow on the back of his stall, and looked about -him. Slowly, the boxes began to fill, as though the subscribers had only -decided to come at all because they had paid dearly for the privilege. Up -above in the amphitheatre was a sea of eager faces turned on to the -stage. There was the real amateur and artistic public. - -But Marcel was not looking for critical observations as to the musical -capacity of the different auditors of a masterly piece, rather for the -face of a woman. Nowhere could he catch a glimpse of the beautiful -profile of Madame Vignola. Two side boxes on the right of the actors -still remained unoccupied. And Marcel, again turning towards the stage, -kept a watch on them. - -Towards the end of the act the sound of an opening door drew his -attention. He saw a light appear in one of the side boxes, then a vague -uncertain form appeared in its velvet frame. The door closed again, the -background again darkened, and a woman, clothed in white, _décolleté_, -and wearing a necklace of beautiful pearls, came to the front of the box. -As her face was turned away from Marcel he could not distinguish her -features. Still, what relation could there be between this vigorous -brunette and the blonde and languishing Anetta? Strength, where he had -found grace. No. This could not be the one. - -As the curtain fell amidst a tempest of cheers, and the artists -reappeared on the stage to bow their acknowledgments, the lady turned -round, in such a way as to face Marcel, who, stupefied, recognized the -look of the one he loved. He might have been mistaken in everything else, -but not in the languishing look which formed so delightful a contrast -with that mocking smile and imperious brow. He examined her attentively, -without her being aware that she was observed. But what grief he felt at -being obliged to recognize her in such a disguise! - -Was not the very fact of this metamorphosis, the most complete of -confessionals? Why, if not to disarm curiosity, these changes, in -head-dress, in the colour of the hair, and the expression of the face? -What was this comedy she was playing, and when? Was it at Ars that she -was painted and disguised, or at the opera? - -Marcel arose. All around him were leaving their seats. Madame Vignola was -no longer in front of the box. Marcel counted the number of boxes. This -one was the fourth after the passage. Standing behind a column, he kept -watch. - -This self-imposed waiting seemed interminable to him. The passers-by -irritated him, he replied to a few bows, but avoided shaking hands with -any one. Finally, the door of the box opened, and Agostini and an elderly -man, wearing the rosette of the Legion d’Honneur, appeared. The count and -his companion made their way towards the grand staircase, before Marcel, -who had his back turned to them, and disappeared. Then the young man -opened the door of the box, and entered. - -The spectator was seated on the sofa. Marcel closed the door, and walked -up to her. Turning her head, she looked at the intruder, and said, -without the faintest agitation— - -“You are in the wrong box, sir.” - -He replied ironically— - -“No, madame, there is no mistake, if I am in the presence of Madame -Vignola, unless you are the Baroness Grodsko.” - -At these words, the young woman’s face appeared frightfully agitated. Her -eyes turned pale, and her lips trembled. - -“Whose name is that you have uttered?” she murmured, in unsteady accents. - -“Evidently one of your own! So far as I can judge, you change names, -according to circumstances, just as you change faces, according to the -men you associate with.” - -“I do not understand what you mean. Once more I say, you are mistaken, -retire.” - -“No! I shall wait here till Count Agostini returns. We will have an -explanation in his presence. He, at any rate, will not be able to deny -his identity. And that will help to establish yours.” - -Rising from her seat, and no longer taking the trouble to deny, she said— - -“And he will kill you! Wretched man, leave here at once, without a -moment’s delay. You do not know what dangers you are running!” - -“I know them quite well. General Trémont is dead, Laforêt, the police -agent, is dead, and so, doubtless, are many others who have resisted your -fancies or intrigues. And if I, too, do not yield, you will try to -compass my death also. But, before that happens, I will know who and what -you are.” - -The woman’s countenance darkened. Raising her beautiful arm, she said in -tragic tones— - -“Do not attempt it! You will never succeed!” - -“Still, I have made a beginning,” he said madly. “Spy—thief—actress; yes, -actress even in love!” - -She did not appear to have heard the other insults he hurled at her, but -from this last one, she recoiled. Blushing, she seized Marcel by the arm, -and fixed on him a pair of eyes which seemed to flame with passion. - -“No! I have not lied! Don’t believe that of me! Do not accuse me of -having been false in love. I did love you! Can you think otherwise? -Accuse me of whatever you wish, it matters little to me! We shall never -see one another again, you hear!—never see one another again in this -world. Therefore, believe what I now swear to you: I loved you; I still -love you! I have never loved any one as I have loved you, and that is why -I shall never see you again. Do not attempt to understand or to fathom my -secrets; they would cause your death. Content yourself with what you know -of me, and with the fact that you have not paid for it with your life. -Become blind when I pass by your side; deaf, whenever my name is -mentioned. Do not enter the darkness in which I am shrouded. Oh! Marcel, -my loved one, go away, do not suspect me of having lied to you. Clasped -in your arms, your lips pressed against mine, I told the truth, I—” - -She stopped. Tears shone in her eyes, and her beautiful arms are flung -around Marcel’s neck. He felt himself pressed to her throbbing bosom, the -fire of her eyes blinded him, and he shuddered at the contact of that -ardent mouth pressed to his own in a delirium of delight. Amid her sighs, -he heard the word “Adieu!” and found himself near the door. There, her -embrace relaxed, and he stood dazed and maddened in the passage, amidst -the spectators who were returning to their seats. Taking up his coat, and -staggering along like a man intoxicated, he obeyed his mysterious love, -and left the theatre. - -He no longer doubted. That cry, “I love you still!” was sincere. She was -not lying when she confessed her love. Besides, why had she driven him -away from her, if not inspired by the passionate fright of the woman who -trembles lest her loved one meet his death. Then it was some strange -will, superior to her own, which had compelled her to fascinate him, and -which was again controlling her in the performance of some dark, -mysterious deed or other! That he was, and must remain, ignorant of. - -On reaching the Place de l’Opéra, he felt calmer. The open air did him -good. But the memory of those glorious eyes, and that quivering voice, as -she held him in her arms, came back to him with painful intensity. Ah! -What a woman! - -But she was a monster of corruption and depravity. He had told her so -without the slightest protest. She was, beyond doubt, an accomplice in -several murders; perhaps even that white and delicate hand of hers had -itself been stained in blood! She was the secret agent of threatening -hostility and venal treason. Her beauty, grace, and intelligence were so -many attractions which served to captivate her dupes. Her love was only a -means to an end. - -A feeling of revolt came over him. He said to himself, “Really, I am too -much of a coward. The attraction this woman exercises over me is taking -away my moral faculty! At the very moment she appears in such a -despicable light before me, I yet love her. And yet, I scarcely know her. -She loved me; that is the reason she left me, unwilling as she was to -ruin me!” He laughed in a nervous fashion, and thought, “Very soon, I -shall be obliged to feel grateful towards her! And yet she is an infamous -wretch. Yes; but how beautiful!” - -A prey to these contradictory thoughts, he reached the Rue de Provènce, -and immediately retired to rest. The following morning, when he awoke, he -was astonished to find his uncle Graff at his bedside. It was eight -o’clock. He had had a dreamless sleep. The old man, feeling uneasy, had -been turning over and over in his bed, and, at daybreak, had not been -able to resist the desire of making sure that nothing had happened to -Marcel. For some time he had been watching his nephew sleep, and now he -wished to question him, but, finding him silent, or evasive in his -answers, he abandoned all hope of learning anything just then, and called -on Baradier for a cup of coffee. He had left his room, fasting, and was -dying of hunger. - -The same morning, in Lichtenbach’s study, about ten o’clock, Agostini and -Hans were engaged in a _tête-à-tête_ with the banker. Count Cesare was -sitting in dreamy attitude, smoking a cigarette. Hans, impassive, was -listening to Elias, who was speaking in even a duller voice than usual. - -“The situation is certainly serious for you,” he was saying, “but for me -it is becoming very grave. Relying on your information, I undertook a -bear campaign, which was to place the Explosives Company in my hands, by -permitting of my redeeming the shares for a mere trifle. It happens that -my closest rivals, and deadly enemies, the firm of Baradier and Graff, -have undertaken the counter-part of my operations, and all my efforts to -shake them off have been unavailing. Then, I did not understand the -causes of their firmness, but now I do. The notice read at the Academy of -Science gives me the key to their calculations. They are in possession of -the secret you have failed to find. They are in a position to exploit the -Trémont powder, and the Dalgetty patent is worth nothing! This is the net -result of all your intrigues. You have indeed something to be proud of!” - -“What will all this cost you?” asked Agostini, coldly. - -“How much will it cost me?” exclaimed the banker, furiously. “Almost all -I possess! You seem to look at things in a very philosophical light! It -is easy to say to a man one has ruined, ‘How much has it cost you?’ Can I -rely on my physical attractions? To have money I must work, and it has -been so with me for the past forty years!” - -“Come, Lichtenbach,” said Hans, “don’t cry about it. We are aware that -you will lose considerably, in case the affair does not succeed. But -there will be something left. I will offer you ten million francs for -whatever remains, if you like!” - -“Stupid rogues as you are!” exclaimed Elias. “You are speaking of what -you know nothing about! This filthy affair of yours, managed by such -silly dolts, has cost me the labour of half my life, and even more—my -pride! For I, who have always had the upper hand of Baradier and Graff, -am now at their mercy. Your famous Sophia has, indeed, been brilliant in -this matter! A man-eater who has never failed. A flower of rottenness, -one need only breathe to be intoxicated, such corrupting ferments does -she exhale! A simple young man is given into her hands; a mere -child’s-play for her, and here she remains, inactive and powerless, -either unable or unwilling to make him give up his secret. Meanwhile, I -have been losing all my money. You idiots! You stupid rascals! Will you -give me back my money? I know of nothing in the world more despicable -than an imbecile bandit! And that is what you are, both of you, and your -Sophia into the bargain!” - -Hans’ countenance remained unchanged. Agostini, with sombre look, flung -away his cigarette, and said— - -“There is some truth in what you say, Lichtenbach, so I will overlook -your insolent words. But for that, I would have made you pay dearly for -what you have just said.” - -“Not another word!” growled Lichtenbach. “I defy you!” - -“You will be foolish to do so,” continued the Italian. “A Count Cesare -Agostini will not receive a gratuitous insult from a Lichtenbach.” - -“Gratuitous? Indeed!” - -“Come! Peace!” said Hans, in tones of authority. “We are not here to -exchange compliments with one another, but to find some solution to the -difficulty. It is true the Baroness has failed. We know the reason now, -when it is too late. She has been stupid enough to fall in love with this -young man, and has only half accomplished her mission. When she led him -on to talk confidentially to her, she was afraid that he would despise -her later on. To sum up, the _coup_ failed. The young man is now on his -guard; he will say nothing more, unless I undertake, as a last resource, -to question him. For the present, however, the situation is as follows: -We possess an excellent patent, similar, as regards the composition of -the powder, to the one taken under the name of Trémont. But we are in -ignorance of the trick of working it. Our powder is a brutal explosive. -The Trémont powder is graduated in action. There is the real value of the -discovery. Under these conditions, Dalgetty could establish a claim, and -accuse of counterfeit the exploiters of the Trémont patent, which was -taken out after ours. The result—scandal, trial, blackmailing. This is -the line we must follow, and it may serve as a means for a settlement.” - -“In what way?” asked Lichtenbach, interested. - -“By sending a trusty ambassador to Baradier and Graff to offer them terms -of peace.” - -“They will not accept!” - -“How do you know? It all depends on the manner in which the proposal is -made; you may have to concede to them both material and moral advantages, -in order to reach a fusion of the two affairs.” - -“That would mean safety, and even triumph!” exclaimed Lichtenbach. “Just -let me get them into my power, and they shall not escape so easily!” - -“Then I will rely upon you! Ah! You sly rogue, you have come back to life -again.” - -“The fact is, the idea of being their dupe was killing me! The whole of -my life would have been spent in vain! Ever since I have been in Paris, I -have only had one desire—to injure them! Give up this joy! I could not! -Whom shall I send them?” - -“A priest,” insinuated Agostini. - -“The Abbé d’Escayrac, if he would do me this service! Fine idea! He well -knows how to lull one’s conscience by moulding a man’s intelligence to -his will. But what can we offer Baradier and Graff?” - -“Anything you imagine they might decently accept. What will it cost you? -Have you not a daughter? She has been carefully brought up, and is of an -amiable disposition, so I am told.” - -“Well!” - -“Offer her to young Baradier, with an enormous dowry. If Sophia were only -willing, she would arrange the matter well enough!” - -This time, Agostini manifested symptoms of violent discontent. He brought -his hand down forcibly on the table, and, looking at the others with -murderous eyes, said— - -“And what is to become of me in this combination? Are you forgetting that -Mademoiselle Lichtenbach is my affianced wife?” - -“The engagement can easily be broken,” replied Hans, coldly. - -“Do you intend to jest with me?” - -“I never jest with any one to no purpose.” - -“Then you are seriously thinking of overthrowing all my plans?” - -“What use will your plans be to you, if Lichtenbach is ruined? Besides, -you silly fellow, do you think Elias is a man likely to trouble himself -with you, if you are no longer of any use to him? Already you have gone -down several notches in his esteem. If an arrangement has to be made with -you, we will offer you money. I know where to find it.” - -The handsome Italian laid his hand on his heart. - -“And what compensation will be large enough to satisfy me?” - -“Ah, ah!” jeered Hans. “We are well aware that your conscience is as -tender as it is delicate!” - -Lichtenbach, who had remained silent, after hearing the suggestion -concerning his daughter, now said— - -“A Baradier marry a Lichtenbach! Is it possible? Never would the Graffs -and Baradiers consent to such a thing! For my own part, I ought to -protest with all my might against such a proposal.” - -He remained silent, as though absorbed in thought, and then said slowly— - -“Still, my daughter is well worthy of entering such a family. They are -honest people, after all! And she is a charming and proud child. If only -they would consent! My daughter would be certain of a happy future. She -would have a peaceful and tranquil life. These Baradiers are honest and -respectable, after all! If they would receive my daughter as their own, -they would treat her well, and she would not be the prey of an -adventurer! True, I hate them, and wish to do them harm, for all the -humiliations they have inflicted on me. But if they would accept my -daughter!” - -A tear shone on the cheek of this hardened man—a tear more precious than -a diamond, for it owed its source to a father’s love. Hans interrupted -the scene; he was not a man to understand such tender feelings. - -“So you adopt my plan? You will make an attempt at conciliation with our -opponents. Offer them what you like, that is your own affair, and if we -succeed, we will unite the two patents. You alone carry on the -transaction, though, naturally, you reserve us our share. You see, this -young Count Cesare might turn out troublesome. Is it agreed upon?” - -“Yes.” - -Hans and Agostini took their leave. Elias walked to and fro about his -study, then he proceeded to his daughter’s room. Marianne was seated near -the window overlooking the garden, working. She rose on seeing her father -appear. Wearing a blue dressing-gown ornamented with quipure lace, her -fair hair tied up in bands, she had about her a kind of virgin -gentleness, which caused her father’s heart to swell with love and -tenderness. Sitting by her side, he drew her near to himself, and entered -into conversation. - -“You have now been settled down here some considerable time. Are you -satisfied? Is everything progressing as you wish?” - -“Yes, father, I should be very ungrateful if I were not satisfied. You -let me do whatever I want. But I hope you are well pleased yourself, -also.” - -“Certainly, little one, and I wish us always to remain so. But, you know, -some day we shall be obliged to separate.” - -Marianne looked serious; her smile vanished. - -“A day in the distant future, father; there is no hurry.” - -“You will marry. Would you not like to be married?” - -“That will depend on the husband.” - -A silence followed. The controller of men felt ill at ease before this -child, whose future he had disposed of by calculation. He did not dare -speak to her of Agostini, whom he had introduced to her, and praised in -her presence only the night before. It was Marianne who took it upon -herself to explain the precise situation of things. - -“I am rather troubled, I confess, at the favour you accord this young -Italian count, and at the way in which you speak to me of him.” - -“My dear child!” exclaimed Lichtenbach. - -“No! Let me continue,” interrupted Marianne. “Afterwards you may praise -your candidate as much as you like. But allow me to speak to you quite -freely. Your _protegé’s_ conduct and habits make me uneasy. He does not -seem to me frank; he is too polite, and full of compliments. There is -something suspicious about this man who is always smiling and flattering. -Besides, his voice has no genuine ring about it. His cold, cruel looks -belie his handsome face and gentle words. Lastly, dear father, he is a -foreigner. Are there no more Frenchmen to marry in France that one should -be obliged to look for a _fiancé_ for one’s daughter on the other side of -the frontier? He is a count, but I have no ambition in that direction. He -does not work, and I should not care to marry any one without business of -any kind. Papa, if you wish to please me and consult my tastes, you will -choose another suitor. Your daughter is something to you—that you have -often given me to understand; you have, perhaps, insisted rather too much -on the fact, for I might have formed too good an opinion of myself. -Luckily, I am reasonable and modest in my demands. Do not marry me to an -idle man, who is also ambitious and wicked. If you want me to be free -from anxiety, send away this handsome Italian. He is not the man for me!” - -Lichtenbach smiled good-humouredly and said—“Then who is?” - -Marianne blushed, but made no reply. - -“Ah, ah!” continued Lichtenbach. “So there is a secret, is there? Better -tell your father all about it, little one. Have you met some one you -like, my dear? Tell me everything; don’t be afraid. You know very well I -will do nothing opposed to your wishes. If you do not like Agostini, why -did you not tell me so sooner? Come, now, tell me all!” - -With downcast head she said— - -“No, no! It is useless. I have only one wish—to stay by your side just as -I am. I shall be very happy.” - -“You are not telling me the truth,” exclaimed Lichtenbach, excitedly. -“You must tell me what you mean. Do you imagine there are difficulties in -the way? Yes? Of what kind? Is it some one I know?” - -“Let us say nothing more on the subject, father,” said Marianne. “I was -wrong in introducing the subject. It can be nothing but a painful one for -both yourself and myself. You had given me warning. But it was too late. -The subject shall never be brought up again between us; that I promise -you.” - -“You could not speak to me otherwise if it were my greatest enemy. Is it -so?” - -He did not utter the name of Baradier, but Marianne read it upon his -lips. She raised her eyes up to her father’s face, as though to ask -pardon from him for what he must consider a kind of treason. She did not, -however, find in his countenance that angry and threatening expression -she dreaded to see there. He was passive and calm, and sat there for a -moment without uttering a word. Then, in accents of great deliberation, -he asked— - -“We are thinking of Marcel Baradier, are we not? Yes, it must be he. I -was wrong to let you visit Geneviève de Trémont. That was very imprudent -on my part. However, it cannot be helped now. We must try to arrange -matters.” - -“Arrange matters!” stammered Marianne. - -“Yes, my dear child. We must make an attempt. I would do anything to make -you happy.” - -“Forget your bitter feelings of the past?” - -“I will try to make the Baradiers forget theirs.” - -“Oh, father, dear father!” - -She flung her arms around his neck with such a burst of joy, that -Lichtenbach turned pale with shame. For the first time in his life, he -had a very clear impression of the significance of a cowardly action, -doubtless, because his victim in this case was his own daughter. At the -same time, he felt that the evil deeds of a whole lifetime accumulate, -and that, at some time or other, the interest must be paid, in -humiliation and suffering. He looked at Marianne tenderly, and said, in -accents of sincerity— - -“Ah! is it so serious as that? Very well, my child, I will do everything -possible to make you happy.” - -After kissing her, he returned to his room, ordered his carriage, and -drove away to call on the Abbé d’Escayrac. - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -ABOUT five o’clock Madame Baradier had just returned, and was reading in -her small salon; her daughter, Amélie, and Geneviève de Trémont were -working at the table, chatting pleasantly the while, when the servant -entered, and said— - -“There is a priest here, who wishes to speak to you, madame.” - -Madame Baradier, lady patroness of several charitable institutions, was -continually receiving appeals to her generosity. She made no distinction -between the clergy and the laity, but received all with equal -benevolence. Accordingly, she ordered the visitor to be showed in. The -first glance she gave him showed her a fine, intelligent face, the -general aspect being rather that of a fashionable and carefully dressed -priest. The first words he uttered confirmed this judgment— - -“Madame,” said the visitor, “I am the Abbé d’Escayrac, secretary of the -Issy establishment, which is under the lofty patronage of the Bishop of -Andropolis.” - -“Superior of the Absolutionists, unless I am mistaken.” - -“You are not mistaken, madame.” - -“What can I do for your work, Monsieur l’Abbé?” - -“You can do much, madame. But, first of all,”—here the Abbé lowered his -voice—“I have information of special importance to communicate to you, -and it might be better, if you have no objection, if we were alone.” - -“As you please, Monsieur l’Abbé.” - -The two girls had been well brought up. On a look from Madame Baradier, -they arose, bowed, and left the room. - -“You may now speak freely, Monsieur l’Abbé.” - -“I am well aware, madame, how you are animated by a sincere Christian -fervour,” continued the priest, “and it is on the certainty that all -apostolic work must receive your cordial assistance that my mission is -based. As you know, we are devoted heart and soul to the service of the -poor. Poverty and misery, nay, even vice itself, have an exclusive claim -on our interest and attention. To us a criminal is a brother we try to -restore to the path of virtue, just as we use our best efforts to save a -sick man. In this way a vast amount of misfortune and crime is revealed -to us. We are the confidents of the most painful of physical vices, the -most lamentable of moral back-slidings. We offer help to all, without -exception, and often serve as intermediaries between those who have the -power to punish and those who wish to be spared. We are never deaf to -repentance, and try to turn it to the advantage of our holy religion.” - -He spoke with grave earnestness, and an insinuating voice, turning on one -side the obstacles in the way, preparing his ground, and gradually -attempting to win over to his side the intelligence of the wife, so as to -make of her an ally against the husband. Madame Baradier, astonished at -this lengthy introduction, was beginning to wonder what was the meaning -of it all, so she asked— - -“Is it pecuniary help you want, Monsieur l’Abbé? If so, you will find us -very sympathetically disposed towards your work.” - -“We shall be very grateful, madame, for whatever you may do for us, but -money is not at present the object of my visit. Recently, we have founded -in the Var an important establishment, where we propose, in imitation of -other powerful religious orders, to open a business establishment. To -facilitate our efforts, we have received very important assistance. We -are full of gratitude towards those who have helped us, and, the -opportunity of doing them a service now offering itself, I, your humble -servant, have been appointed to bring to you a message of conciliation -from a man who, for many years, has been in a state of hostility with -your family, but who now wishes to end his life in concord and peace.” - -Madame Baradier, for the last few minutes, had been manifesting serious -symptoms of uneasiness. She saw that the interview was assuming a form -which did not please her; accordingly, she cut short the speech of the -amiable Abbé, and said— - -“Will you kindly tell me what you wish, Monsieur l’Abbé? The man’s name -will, I believe, explain the affair far better.” - -The young priest smiled; and, with the suppliant look of a martyr, he -said— - -“I am a minister of charity and pardon, madame. The man’s name is M. -Lichtenbach.” - -“I suspected it.” - -“Am I to imagine that his personality will render all understanding -impossible, even in the interests of religion?” - -“It is not my place to form such a resolution, Monsieur l’Abbé. I cannot -forget that there are in this house two men who are alone entitled to -reply: my husband and my brother. Permit me to call them.” - -“I am at your disposal, madame.” - -“No. Monsieur l’Abbé, do not speak so. Whatever happens, be sure that we -all rightly appreciate the mission of conciliation you have accepted. We -shall not confound the mission with its agent.” - -Bowing to the priest, she left the room. The Abbé remained motionless in -his armchair, buried in thought. He was fulfilling a mission useful to -his order in a double sense. No preoccupation foreign to his religious -duties troubled him. He rightly appreciated Elias, but the evangelical -spirit would not allow him to neglect the salvation of even the most -despicable of men. Had not Christ permitted the kiss of Judas? Did not -the Holy Father lave the feet of the filthiest of beggars? Besides, the -interests of the Church inspired him. The door opened, and Graff -appeared. Coming up to the young Abbé, he bowed— - -“My sister, Madame Baradier, has just informed me of your presence, -Monsieur l’Abbé. My brother-in-law, Barassin, is busy in the office, and -begs to be excused. Besides, I have full permission to act as I think -best. Will you explain?” - -“Has not Madame Baradier told you?” - -“In a few hasty words. You are sent by Lichtenbach? Good! That does not -astonish us in the least. So long as he was the stronger, he did us all -the harm he could. Now that we have the upper hand, he is trying to stop -the game. Let us hear what he wants.” - -M. d’Escayrac smiled. - -“It is pleasant to talk to you, monsieur; one knows at once where one is -going.” - -“Very well, Monsieur l’Abbé; since you know, proceed at once to facts.” - -“By chance, your firm and that of Lichtenbach have met on the same ground -concerning the exploitation of a patent.” - -“You call that chance? Good! Good! As for the ‘same ground,’ there is -some truth in that, since, in order to obtain the patent in question, -they have exploded a house, that of one of our friends; set fire to a -manufactory, our own; assassinated two men, and risked killing several -others. It is a ‘ground’ sprinkled with blood, Monsieur l’Abbé! But, -still, it is that abominable ‘same ground!’” - -The priest crossed his hands with an expression of horror. - -“Monsieur, I knew nothing of what you are now revealing to me. Were it -any one but yourself who were speaking, I should think he had taken leave -of his senses. It is impossible that the man, in whose name I am here, -should have committed the frightful acts you now reproach him with.” - -“Let us understand one another,” replied Uncle Graff, eagerly. “I do not -accuse Lichtenbach of having shed blood. He is incapable of it for -several reasons, the best of which is that he would not dare to do such a -thing. But the patent of which you speak has been obtained by the means I -have just informed you of. Monsieur l’Abbé, you have been beguiled into a -disagreeable enterprise. Still, in us you have to deal with those who -have too much respect for religion for you to need to fear any -responsibility. You may explain yourself without any further beating -about the bush. Whatever may be said between us will not be repeated. -After all, this interview may have some useful result, who knows?” - -“I have no doubt whatever of that,” said the Abbé, considerably troubled -all the same. “Oh, monsieur, how pleased I am to have to discuss the -interests entrusted to my charge with so benevolent a man as yourself! -God be praised! If possible, we will bring about a perfect understanding. -If only you knew what I myself dread! In very truth, M. Lichtenbach is -not so responsible for all that has happened as you suppose. He is not -his own master in this matter; he has to deal with powerful personages, -who will not lay down their arms, and who, I am afraid, will have -recourse to the most extreme measures to obtain the supremacy over you.” - -“We have nothing to fear!” - -“There are poisoned weapons which will kill even the most invulnerable. -Be on your guard, monsieur, against the plots to which your adversaries -at bay may have recourse. I speak to you in all sincerity. I was not -aware of the past, but I have been terrified at the glimpse into the -future that has been permitted me.” - -“By whom? Lichtenbach?” - -“Oh! He was terrified himself; and begged me to come and speak to you, -simply knowing me to be one whose character could offer him sufficient -guarantee for discretion. I can assure you that in him you no longer have -an enemy to deal with. Of that he is ready to give you whatever proof you -wish.” - -“He is deceiving you, Monsieur l’Abbé. You have been his dupe, and know -him well. What does he want?” - -“He proposes the complete fusion of the two enterprises by the -exploitation of the two patents. Though the Dalgetty is previous to the -Trémont patent, the two discoveries, being almost similar, shall be -considered as equal.” - -“What is that?” exclaimed Uncle Graff. “Lichtenbach is, indeed, very -kind. One is genuine, the other counterfeit. The Trémont patent is the -result of work and intelligence; the Dalgetty patent is the result of -fraud and theft.” - -“My dear sir,” exclaimed the Abbé, uneasily, “official declarations are a -guarantee of faith. One cannot go against facts. The Dalgetty was taken -out by an English company before the Trémont.” - -“And how does that affect us? The Dalgetty has no value; those who have -sent you here are well aware of that fact. We have them in our power, I -tell you; they can do nothing. Their patent is not worth the money they -have spent in taking it out. For months past Lichtenbach and ourselves -have been adversaries over the Explosives Company. We hold the right end, -that he well knows. He will soon have to undertake a liquidation. And -then?” - -“He offers to stop his bear operations.” - -“He cannot continue them any longer.” - -“He will take at half price the shares of the Explosives of which you are -the holders, and pay for them at once.” - -“I dare say he will; they will rise at a leap to two hundred francs -each!” - -“He is ready to offer you a pledge of his frank and, henceforth, -invariable co-operation. If, in your family, you had a person belonging -to his family, if an alliance united your common interests, would you not -consider that an absolute guarantee of his sincere cessation of enmity -against you?” - -Graff turned pale, but succeeded in mastering his emotions, and, wishing -to know his opponent’s inmost thoughts, he said— - -“Who is the person in question on Lichtenbach’s side?” - -“Mademoiselle Marianne, his daughter.” - -“And on ours?” - -“Your nephew, M. Baradier.” - -“So these two would be married, and Baradier, Graff, and Lichtenbach -would form one single family.” - -“I do not know whether or not you are acquainted with Mademoiselle -Lichtenbach. She is a charming young lady, brought up under the loftiest -religious influences, and calculated to offer your nephew the most -serious guarantees of happiness possible. It would be a joy to us to have -contributed to the reconciliation of former enemies, separated by -quarrels, which might, doubtless, easily be forgotten in the midst of -general satisfaction. Concord and peace instead of enmity; no more fears -or threats. One common and complete prosperity! Come, my dear sir, -pronounce the words of redemption and hope, make an effort over your -pride, and give the world an example of gentleness and charity.” - -Graff had silently listened to the priest’s earnest pleading. His bent -forehead and closed eyes gave the Abbé d’Escayrac to believe that his -words were having their due effect on the old man’s thoughts. There was a -moment’s silence. Then the uncle looked the Abbé straight in the face, -and, in firm tones, said— - -“Monsieur l’Abbé, in the cemetery of Metz, there are Graffs who would -leap from their tombs if one of their descendants were to demean himself -so far as to marry the daughter of a Lichtenbach!” - -“Monsieur!” exclaimed the Abbé in surprise. - -“Then you do not know the Baradiers and Graffs, or you would not propose -to them an alliance with a Lichtenbach? Do you know who Lichtenbach is? -Between Lorraine and Paris, there is not a mile of ground which has not -been strewn with French blood, on account of this wretch. A spy, to lead -the enemy to victory; food-supplier to the foe; when our troops were -dying of hunger, he fattened on war, and enriched himself on treason. He -sold his brothers of France—the Jews, who fought in our ranks and died -like brave soldiers, double Judas as he was! And after receiving the -reward for his treason, he turned Christian, and set about defiling -another religion, by the disgusting intransigence of his apostate zeal! -There you have a picture of Lichtenbach, Monsieur l’Abbé. Must I now tell -you who Graff and Baradier are?” - -“Oh, I know well, my dear sir! Your honour and patriotism are universally -respected. But what animosity and rancour! Is this what I shall have to -tell the one who sent me?” - -“Tell him he is an impudent rascal for having charged such a man as -yourself with such a mission. Tell him our scorn for him is only equalled -by his hatred against us. Assure him we have not the slightest fear. If -he wishes to slander us, we will pay him back in the same coin; if he -dares to strike us, we will defend ourselves. In the latter case, let him -be careful!” - -“Monsieur!” said the Abbé, in tones of entreaty. “Reflect? Anger is a bad -counsellor.” - -“Monsieur l’Abbé, I am perfectly calm. You do not know me. I never give -way to passion. If I did, the result would be terrible. But a great deal -would be needed to bring about such a state of things!” - -“Must I then leave you without obtaining any result? I am well aware that -you are exposed to the most terrible dangers.” - -“I thank you for warning us. We shall be on our guard.” - -“Is that your last word?” - -“No, Monsieur l’Abbé. Never has a priest entered this house without -taking away, for himself and his work, a testimony of our respectful -deference and humble piety.” - -Graff took from his pocket a cheque-book, wrote a few words, and, handing -the piece of paper to his visitor, said— - -“For your poor parishioners, Monsieur l’Abbé.” - -“Oh!” exclaimed the priest. “This is princely liberality. I will pray for -you, monsieur, with all my heart.” - -“Thanks, Monsieur l’Abbé,” said Graff, with a smile. “But pray, above -all, for Lichtenbach.” - -And, opening the door, he conducted the priest out. - -That same evening, about nine o’clock, after dinner, Lichtenbach -descended from his brougham, close to the entrance of the Boulevard -Maillat. It was a brilliant night, and the groves in the Bois, under the -silvery light of the moon, raised their dark masses against the horizon. -The banker hurried along, not without some anxiety, for the spot was a -deserted one, and a likely haunt of undesirable characters. After walking -about a hundred yards, he halted in front of the ivy-covered gate of a -villa, and knocked. A few seconds passed, then a small door turned on its -hinges, and a woman appeared. It was Milona. Recognizing the banker, she -stepped backwards, without uttering a word, and led the way into a garden -in front of the house. - -“Is madame at home?” asked Elias. - -“She is expecting you,” said the Dalmatian, in guttural accents. - -“Good. Have the others arrived?” - -“Yes; an hour ago.” - -They proceeded along a flower-bed, the flowers of which gave out fragrant -odours on to the night air. The servant mounted a flight of steps, -followed by Lichtenbach. On reaching a dark ante-chamber, Lichtenbach -handed his overcoat and hat to Milona, who opened a door, and out of the -darkness he passed suddenly into the light of the salon, the windows and -curtains of which were hermetically closed. Seated at a table, Hans and -Agostini were playing at piquet and drinking grog. On a divan Sophia -reclined, in an elegant white deshabillé. The two men scarcely raised -their heads on hearing Lichtenbach enter. The Baroness slowly sat -upright, nodded graciously, and said— - -“Sit down by my side. They are finishing their game. How did you come? I -did not hear the wheels of your carriage.” - -“I left it near the Porte Maillot.” - -“What precautions! Can you not trust your coachman?” - -“I trust no one.” - -“And suppose some night prowler had struck you to the ground, to teach -you not to walk about alone at night in these parts?” - -Elias raised the butt-end of a revolver from his pocket, and said— - -“I should have been able to speak to him in his own language.” - -“I see; then you never travel without an interpreter?” - -“I cannot let myself be murdered for a paltry twenty francs; it would be -altogether too stupid!” - -The conversation was interrupted by an exclamation from Cesare, who, in a -passion, threw the cards down on to the table. Hans laughed to himself, -and made a rapid calculation on a piece of paper. - -“That makes thirty-five louis for you to pay. You have lost fourteen -hundred points!” - -“It is enough to make one believe in the Evil Eye!” growled the handsome -Italian. “Ever since this Marcel Baradier cast his eyes on me, I cannot -touch a single card without losing, at no matter what game!” - -Glancing angrily in the direction of Sophia, he said— - -“This must come to an end!” - -“Come, now, peace!” ordered Hans, authoritatively. “What noise you make -for nothing at all! What news have you, father money-bags? Has your -jesuit d’Escayrac seen our friends?” - -“He has. They refuse.” - -“Refuse what? Be precise. Your daughter or our affair?” - -Elias changed colour, and his eyes flashed. However, neither anger nor -chagrin appeared from his voice. - -“They refuse both alliance with me and co-operation with you. Everything, -in short!” - -“Donnerwetter!” growled Hans. “Are they mad?” - -“No; they are aware that you have nothing, and they have everything. This -they prove by sending us about our business.” - -“You take all this very calmly,” exclaimed Count Cesare. “I have seen you -less resigned than you now appear.” - -“I am not in the habit of fighting windmills. You have tricked me into an -absurd and dangerous business; now I am simply leaving it, that is all.” - -“Leaving your feathers behind.” - -“As you say. But as few as possible. I have already turned round about -and effected a counter-operation.” - -“You rogue! You will end by earning money, where we lose everything!” -replied Agostini, pale with anger. - -“If I do so, it is because I am not so stupid as you, who can do nothing -but spend it.” - -Hans burst into a laugh. As Agostini seemed to be on the point of losing -his temper, he laid his hand on his arm, and forced him to keep his seat. - -“Old money-bags is right; but we must not act like horses when there is -no hay in the rack, and begin to fight. Let us study the situation, and -see what can be done. First of all, what does the beauty say? Up to the -present she has not spoken a word. Still, she must have an opinion on the -matter; we will allow her to give it first.” - -The Baroness appeared to awake from a reverie, and she said, in -disdainful tones— - -“It is not my custom desperately to follow up badly-conceived operations. -You know what I have always told you since the Vanves night: that there -was an evil spell over the whole affair. You will arrive at no successful -end. After all, you have obtained half of what you wanted—the war powder. -Follow the example Lichtenbach sets you. Give it up, and pass on to -something else.” - -“Something else, indeed!” growled Hans. “No, I shall not let go an affair -which has cost me so dear. Some one must pay me for the arm I have lost!” - -“Well, what plan have you to offer?” asked the Baroness, impatiently. - -“You will arrange to strike up a fresh acquaintance with Marcel Baradier. -Bring me the young man here one of these evenings. He knows the secret of -the manufacture, and he shall either give it up to you of his own free -will, or I will undertake to force him to do so.” - -Lichtenbach’s hands trembled nervously. Sophia remained impassive. - -“Well, what do you say to my proposal?” asked Hans, in jovial tones. - -“I will have nothing further to do with the matter!” declared the -Baroness. - -“Ah! take care!” exclaimed Agostini. “I know why you refuse to help us -against young Marcel. You are afraid for him. That is the difficulty.” - -“And what if it were so?” - -Hans made no reply. He appeared to reflect deeply. Then, with feigned -good temper, he said— - -“After all, you may be right. In any case, we can do nothing without -you.” - -Lichtenbach heaved a sigh of satisfaction. The conciliating attitude -suddenly assumed by Hans seemed to be full of meaning. Wishing to know -what this terrible partner of his really thought, he judged it useful to -dissimulate his own ideas. - -“Come, we will say nothing more on the matter! What this affair has cost -me I will pass through the profit and loss account. Still, it is a pity -we could not find that secret trick of manipulation. There was a great -deal of money to be earned by it, after all!” - -Hans bit his lips, but made no reply; whilst Agostini turned gracefully -round to Lichtenbach, and said— - -“And my marriage? What is to become of it?” - -“What has become of this affair of ours,” replied Elias, roughly, -“nothing. The one fell with the other! My fine fellow, you have no longer -a prospective dot. I took you with the Trémont powder, and the only -powder now left is blinding dust!” - -“Ah! You treat me in this way. I may give you reason to repent it!” - -“And if I wished, you would not be allowed in France another twenty-four -hours. Let us be going,” added Lichtenbach; “it is already late.” - -“We will accompany you to the toll-gate, for fear something may happen to -you. This quarter is not very safe at nights. Good night, Sophia.” - -“Good night.” - -She held out her white hand, which her dreaded ally touched with that -iron hand of his, covered with a glove. - -“May I not stay a few minutes, Sophia?” asked Agostini. - -“No,” said the Baroness, emphatically. “Good night!” - -Ringing the bell, Milona appeared. - -“Show these gentlemen out, Milo.” - -Silently they left the house, preceded by the Dalmatian, who held a round -lantern to light the way through the sinuous turnings of the path leading -to the little ivy-covered door. This she opened, and then disappeared. -They proceeded along the Avenue Maillot in silence, each occupied with -his own thoughts. Suddenly Hans stopped, and said, in low accents— - -“Sophia is tricking us. But things shall not happen as she imagines. I -pretended to give way, the better to deceive her. Now this is what we -will do. Cesare will send a letter in a disguised hand-writing to young -Marcel Baradier, fixing a rendezvous at the Boulevard Maillot about ten -o’clock at night. I shall be there to receive him, with others on whom I -can rely, and I will undertake to introduce the pigeon into the dovecot. -Once there, Sophia must be forced to employ her wiles, whether she will -or not. It is the same plan I mentioned just now, and which she refused. -The only difference is that I do not ask for her permission before -putting it into practice.” - -“But suppose Baradier does not come?” said Cesare. - -“What? Not come? Can you imagine that he would not come to a rendezvous -fixed by the Baroness? He will fly to it at once. And when we have him!” - -“What will you do?” asked Lichtenbach, in quivering accents. - -“That is my own business. Just trust to me to loosen this young man’s -tongue!” - -“Violence?” - -“A mode of persuasion he cannot resist.” - -“And suppose he denounces you on leaving the house?” - -“If only he will speak beforehand he will have plenty of time to say what -he wishes afterwards.” - -Lichtenbach shuddered. He felt that Hans had made up his mind to kill -Marcel Baradier, and that the bandit was pursuing a double end: -possession of the secret, and revenge for his mutilation. - -“For the future,” he said, “I will have nothing more to do with your -actions, in which I repudiate all share. I do not wish even to know the -result of your attempt. You seem to have gone mad!” - -“Ah! don’t think we ever relied on you for anything else than an advance -of funds?” said Count Cesare, jeeringly. “To us you have been the hen -which laid the golden eggs; now that you have stopped laying, go your own -way!” - -“No tricks with us, Lichtenbach,” said Hans. “If we succeed, the Dalgetty -patent will have its full effect, you know; consequently you will share -in the profits. What you say now is only another instance of your -hypocrisy; you reject the responsibility, but are willing to accept the -profits. Very well, my friend, you shall have them!” - -They had reached the spot where Lichtenbach’s carriage stood. Agostini -gracefully opened the door, saying— - -“Good night, my prince, pleasant dreams!” - -Meanwhile, M. Mayeur had acted in accordance with information received -from Baudoin and Colonel Vallenot. For a week now he had known the -details of Count Cesare’s life. Of very good birth, belonging to an -illustrious family, Signor Agostini had been obliged to leave the Italian -army after an affair of honour. - -Concerning Hans, nothing could be discovered. The Baroness had been -tracked, through Agostini, to her rooms in the Boulevard Maillot. The -hotel had been let furnished. She lived very quietly, under the name of -Madame de Frilas. M. Mayeur had sent an intelligent agent to the Baron -Grodsko at Nice, and obtained from him full information concerning her. - -Provided with his notes, M. Mayeur had returned to the War Office to -communicate them to Colonel Vallenot, and ask of him the result of his -personal investigations. Introduced at once into the Minister’s cabinet, -the magistrate had seen the results of his examination confirmed by -supplementary details. In proportion as light was thrown on the -personality of the different actors in the drama, the gravity of the -affair became more and more evident. They discovered, beyond the faintest -shadow of doubt, that they had to deal with an association of -international espionage, which had been working for at least ten years on -behalf of foreign governments, probably exploiting them in turn, and -betraying them to the profit of one another. - -It was possible that the whole of Europe had been duped by these clever -rascals. The least false step might alarm the culprits and cause them to -disappear! M. Mayeur grew pale at the restraint placed on him. But how -was it possible to neglect such imperious political necessities? Colonel -Vallenot was the first to speak out clearly on the subject— - -“From this moment, General, it is certain we hold the Ténébreuse, as our -agents call her. This is the woman of whom I spoke to you at the outset -of our investigations some months ago, the one involved in the Cominges, -Fontenailles affairs, etc. We have only to order, and she is in our -power. Is it possible that we can let her escape?” - -“It is these deuced formalists, with their politics!” growled the old -chief. “If the matter were in my hands it should not be allowed to linger -in this way. These lawyers and quibblers astonish me! I only regain -possession of myself when in the midst of my officers. What do you say, -Monsieur le Juge?” - -At that moment the door opened, and the porter brought a card to Colonel -Vallenot. The latter handed it to the Minister, who exclaimed— - -“Marcel Baradier! Show him in!” - -The young man entered, bowed, and, addressing the General, said— - -“I undertook, General, to keep you _au courant_ of anything fresh that -might happen. I have come to keep my promise.” - -“Very good, my friend, explain.” - -“This morning, General, I received this letter.” - -He placed on the desk a sheet of paper, which the Minister examined -attentively. - -“No date, very common paper, an evidently counterfeit handwriting, and no -signature. Now let us see what it says: ‘If you wish to see once more the -one who still loves you, go to-night, at ten o’clock, to the Place de -l’Etoile, at the corner of the Avenue Hoche. A carriage will be stationed -there. Enter it, the coachman will ask no questions, and will take you -where you are expected.’” - -“Good. The classic mode of procedure, except that you are not asked to -submit to having your eyes bandaged. What have you made up your mind to -do?” - -“I shall go to the rendezvous.” - -“Ah, ah! Without the slightest apprehension?” - -“That is another matter, General. All the same, I shall go. I am -determined to have the solution to this enigma.” - -The magistrate interrupted him in gentle tones— - -“Permit me to remark, monsieur, that this resolution of yours is an -exceedingly imprudent one. Ninety-nine chances to a hundred they are -attempting to entrap you. Do not add to our trouble by exposing yourself -to danger for an uncertain result.” - -“If it is she who has written to me, I have nothing to fear.” - -“The deuce!” exclaimed the General. “You are very affirmative!” - -Marcel replied gently— - -“You may have concerning this woman whatever opinion your information has -permitted you to form. False with the others, she was truthful to me. She -betrayed the rest. To me she has been faithful and devoted.” - -“Listen!” exclaimed the General. “He is convinced of the truth of what he -says. She persuades each and every one of them that she is sincere, and -they all believe her!” - -“I will run the risk!” - -The old soldier brought down his fist on to the desk— - -“Well, you are a brave fellow! I like this obstinacy, Vallenot. The deuce -take me if I would not have done the same thing at his age. Well, it is -understood, go to the rendezvous. But we, too, shall take precautionary -measures to protect and defend you, if necessary.” - -“Oh! General, do nothing whatever, please! The slightest intervention -would ruin everything! If it is really Sophia who has written the letter, -I have no need of an escort or protection of any kind. If it is a trap, -those who have prepared it have their eyes open, and will notice all your -preparations.” - -“Do you know where the lady lives?” asked the magistrate. - -“No, sir; as you see, no address is given in the letter.” - -M. Mayeur then said in measured tones— - -“My dear sir, your reasons are not bad ones at all. True, I have -recommended you to be prudent, but if you will go to the rendezvous, go. -Still, as we must always look at things from a practical standpoint, what -result do you expect to obtain?” - -“Monsieur,” said Marcel, gravely; “General de Trémont was my friend; his -death has not been avenged. Our works have been fired; my uncle Graff, my -servant, and myself were almost burnt alive. This crime has not been -punished, any more than the assassination of Laforêt. I intend to throw -light on all these facts, though it be at the peril of my life.” - -“Very good, sir, all I can do is to wish you good luck.” - -Marcel bowed and shook hands with the three men. - -“He is a true Baradier! But he is too venturesome!” - -As soon as the door was closed, M. Mayeur rose from his seat, -exclaiming—. - -“Here is an opportunity, General, to seize all these rascals at once. Of -course, you know as well as I do that it is their object to entice M. -Baradier into the house in the Boulevard Maillot, and there force him to -give up his secret. Just now you said that these villains must be induced -to resist, and then massacred. Without going to that extremity, we have -now an opportunity of simplifying the whole proceedings.” - -“But you promised Marcel you would not interfere!” said Colonel Vallenot. - -“I don’t intend to interfere. He shall do as he likes. But I cannot take -no interest in these preparations, nor will I, like young Baradier, be -chivalrous with bandits. This is my plan: The rendezvous is for ten -o’clock. You know the situation of the Boulevard Maillot; there is a -ditch separating it from the Bois de Boulogne. A splendid hiding-place to -hide a posse of police entering by the wood. I know a detective officer -who is as intelligent as he is determined. I shall give him instructions -to post himself there, and keep watch. In case M. Baradier is right, and -there is nothing to fear, my men will simply have passed a night in the -open-air. If he is mistaken then the danger will be a real one. You heard -him say that he would be armed and ready to defend himself. At the first -cry or shot my men will invade the house. If they are threatened they -resist, if they are struck they will fire. Whether diplomacy wishes or -not, if the villains are caught in the act the matter must take its -course.” - -“Whatever happens, do not let young Baradier be killed, and above all try -to lay hands on the woman.” - -“What do you think of the plan, General?” - -The old soldier looked at the magistrate, then at Vallenot. He noticed -the impassive countenance of the latter, and replied— - -“You need not ask for my advice. All these judicial operations are out of -my province. Act as you think best; I have nothing to say.” - -The magistrate shook his head, with a mocking smile; then, taking up his -hat, he said— - -“Ah, I know what you mean! So long as the affair is not over, no one -wishes to have anything to do with it. If it succeeds, then I shall be -the only one to be left out of it all. But that matters little. It is my -duty, and I will not hesitate. Your servant, General.” - -And he left the room accompanied by Colonel Vallenot. - - - -CHAPTER V - - -IT was about half-past nine, and Uncle Graff had dined in the Rue de -Provènce as usual. Baudoin approached him, and whispered in his ear— - -“Two ladies have called, and one of them wishes to speak to M. Marcel.” - -“What kind of a woman is she?” asked the uncle. - -“A very respectable-looking person, sir. The other must be a governess or -a lady’s maid.” - -“Where are they?” - -“In the ante-chamber.” - -“Turn on the electricity in my room, and show them in.” - -Baudoin did as he was ordered. Uncle Graff continued his descent, -murmuring to himself— - -“Another of Marcel’s escapades! I wonder what it is this time.” - -On approaching his room he saw, standing by the door, a young lady -dressed in black, and wearing a veil. Uncle Graff’s first impression was -a favourable one. Pointing to a seat, he said kindly— - -“My nephew, madame, is not at home. Cannot I—” - -He was not allowed to finish the sentence. The young lady said in -beseeching tones— - -“Monsieur, it is a question of life or death.” - -“For whom?” asked Uncle Graff, anxiously. - -“For your nephew!” - -“How have you been informed of this? And who are you?” - -The visitor replied immediately— - -“I am Mademoiselle Lichtenbach, monsieur, and I place myself entirely at -your disposal.” - -As she spoke she removed her veil. Uncle Graff, stupefied, recognized the -daughter of his enemy. She was pale and trembling, but resolute. - -“Who has sent you?” he asked. - -“My father! He thought that if he came himself, perhaps you would not -receive him. At this very moment, perhaps, your nephew is running the -most serious danger. My father, who has just received news of it, begged -me to come and tell you.” - -“But how did he receive his information?” asked Graff, suspiciously. - -“Ah, monsieur! begin by taking the necessary measures to help M. Marcel,” -said Marianne, eagerly. “Afterwards you may ask what questions you -please.” - -“At whose hands lies the peril?” - -“At the hands of the same band which killed General de Trémont. My father -has been informed of these intrigues. Act without losing a moment.” - -“But what can we do?” exclaimed Uncle Graff, carried away by the young -lady’s eagerness. - -“I will explain to you. Wait a moment.” - -Passing her hand over her forehead, she said in piteous accents— - -“Yes, that was it. A woman he knew at Ars.” - -“The Italian?” - -“Yes, doubtless. He loved her, and they knew he would be pleased to see -her again.” - -She paused. The pallor of her face increased. What she was relating -seemed to torture her. - -“So they wrote to him to fix a rendezvous. And they are expecting him -this very evening, in a solitary out-of-the-way house. But he will not -find the one he expects to meet, but, instead, a band of villains, -determined to employ the most violent measures to force him to reveal a -secret that they cannot fathom. Now do you understand?” - -“Yes. ‘Where is this house?” - -“See, here is the address written on this piece of paper.” - -Graff read— - -“Boulevard Maillot, 16 bis. And you say that he was expected there about -ten o’clock?” - -As though in obedience to his words, the timepiece struck the hour at the -very instant. - -Graff rang the bell. Baudoin appeared. - -“Quick, Baudoin, a carriage! You will accompany me. Have you a good -revolver?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Then bring it with you. Do not say a word to any one. I will rejoin you -in the yard. Ten o’clock! We will be there, all the same, and if they -have harmed the child, let them beware!” - -Baudoin had already left the room. Marianne, motionless, watched Uncle -Graff make his preparations. He took up a bundle of bank-notes, a -revolver, and a heavy steel-headed stick. Then he appeared to remember -that Mademoiselle Lichtenbach was in the room. Coming up to her, he said -kindly— - -“My child, I thank you for the service.” - -“Oh, monsieur!” exclaimed Marianne, her eyes gleaming with suppressed -tears; “save him, that is the main thing!” - -“He shall be informed, mademoiselle, of what you have risked for his -sake. I know what this errand must have cost you.” - -Marianne smiled sadly. - -“I am returning to-morrow to the convent, doubtless for ever. Life is -full of sadness and pain.” - -Graff waited no longer, but rushed out into the street, as the brougham -of Mademoiselle Lichtenbach vanished in the distance. Baudoin was -standing near the cab. Graff leapt into the carriage and said— - -“To the Porte Maillot! You, Baudoin, mount with me. I want to speak to -you.” - - * * * * * - -Marcel had never felt so calm as on the evening he made his way towards -the Place de l’Etoile. - -When he entered the carriage it immediately started off along the Avenue -de la Grande-Armée, wheeled round at the Porte Maillot, and, after a two -minutes’ further run, came to a halt in a dark-looking avenue, near a -garden gate. Marcel stepped out, and the carriage disappeared. A small -door, hidden in the ivy, was now opened, and a valet in livery appeared. -Marcel followed him in the direction of a house which raised its sombre -mass in front. A single light shone from a window on the first floor. -Mounting a flight of steps, he entered an ante-chamber. Suddenly an -exclamation was heard in the next apartment, a rapid step was heard, a -door overhung with tapestry was flung open, and Sophia, her face -convulsed by the violence of her emotion, appeared. Her looks expressed -the terror she felt, but not a word did she utter. Taking Marcel by the -wrist, she drew him into the room she had just left—a bedroom—quickly -turned the key in the lock, bolted another door, and, seizing the young -man in her arms, whispered in his ear— - -“Wretched man that you are! How did you come here?” - -At the same time, and without appearing to be able to help herself, her -lips sought Marcel’s neck, and she kissed him with a delirious rapture. - -“Then it was not you who summoned me?” - -“I! _Grand Dieu_! I would give ten years of my life if you were anywhere -but in this house at this moment. Ah! the wretches! They have deceived -me!” - -“Who are the wretches you speak of?” asked Marcel, firmly. - -“Ah! Do not question me! I cannot, must not, speak!” - -“Are you jesting?” said Marcel, ironically. - -“Poor child! You do not know them!” - -“Madame, is your brother among them?” - -She laid her hands on his mouth, those beautiful white hands, and he -remained silent. Then, clasping him to her breast with passionate ardour, -her eyes filled with tears—she stammered out— - -“Oh! Marcel, Marcel!” - -A sudden pallor came over her; she clung to him to prevent herself from -falling, and her shapely head, with its wealth of raven hair, lay on the -shoulder of the one she loved with hopeless passion. - -A sharp knock on the door brought them back to the reality of life. - -“Listen!” said Sophia. - -She drew near the door, asked a short question in a foreign language, and -received an immediate reply. Apparently reassured, she opened the door, -saying to Marcel— - -“It is Milo.” - -Milona entered, and the door was carefully closed again. - -“Have they sent you?” asked Sophia. - -“Yes, mistress.” - -“What do they want?” - -“To come to an understanding with you.” - -“I shall not go.” - -“They have provided for that contingency.” - -“Well?” - -“They have told me to repeat to you their demands from the young master.” - -“Silence! I do not wish him to know them!” - -“Would you rather they mount the stairs and kill him?” - -A deep silence followed. Sophia twisted about her arms, and groaned in -despair. Her beautiful features were convulsed by powerless rage and -exasperated dismay. Grinding her teeth, she flew to the mantel-piece, -seized a short, sharp dagger, which she brandished aloft with a terrible -skill. - -“Milo, you will not abandon me?” - -“Never! I will die for you, that you know well!” - -“Marcel is armed; so we are three! Oh! I will defend him with my last -breath!” - -“Against them?” said Milona. “Can you hope to do such a thing? It would -be impossible to resist them. They are all waiting below, in the -dining-room, ready for anything!” - -“Oh! _Mon Dieu_! How mad I am! Do I not know them? Oh! Marcel, why did -you place yourself at their mercy?” - -Flinging her poniard on to the ground, she sat down, overcome with -emotion, buried her head in her hands, and burst into tears. Marcel, -turning to the Dalmatian, asked, in calm accents— - -“Tell me, in a word, what it is they want from me?” - -Milona cast a questioning glance at her mistress. As Sophia made no sign, -the servant explained— - -“They want the famous secret, which will give value to the powder they -stole from you!” - -Marcel smiled, and then frowned in disdain. - -“Ah! that is what is puzzling them. I am glad to know that they have not -succeeded in discovering what they were so interested in knowing. Milona, -you may tell them that they will never learn it from me!” - -“We shall see about that before long!” exclaimed Agostini, passionately, -from behind the door. - -“Ah! you are listening, you villain?” said Marcel, in vibrating tones. “I -am very pleased to know it, for such a procedure simplifies things -considerably! Tell your acolytes that I am not afraid of them; I have in -my hand a revolver which will answer for the lives of six men. If they -like, I will open the door, and the dance shall begin.” - -“Take time for reflection!” replied a deep, guttural voice—that of Hans. -“Do not do anything stupid!” - -“Who is that?” asked Marcel. “He does not appear so stupid as the -others.” - -“One would think you know us!” railed the bandit. “Patience! We will give -you half an hour in which to decide. If, within thirty minutes, you have -not given us satisfaction, I will undertake to make you speak. The night -is damp—there is a good fire below!” - -Steps were now heard descending the staircase. Milona silently left the -room, and Marcel and Sophia remained alone. The time-piece pointed to ten -minutes past ten. - -“You heard them,” said Sophia. “Now you know what they propose to do. -They want your secret.” - -“Very well! I have told them they shall not have it!” - -Looking at the young woman, he saw that a shudder came over her. Laying -his hand on her shoulder, he added— - -“But I wish to know yours.” - -“Mine?” exclaimed the young woman, with a terrified gesture. - -“Yes! Who and what are you?” - -She smiled sadly. - -“A broken-hearted woman who loves you!” - -“Empty words! You say you love me. The only proof of this confession I -ask for is that you be sincere with me.” - -Hiding her face in her hands, she exclaimed— - -“Never! You would hate me if I told you!” - -“Then it is true that you are the most abominable creature on earth?” - -“Oh! my darling, do not insult me!” - -“You will not speak? Then I will ask your accomplices downstairs. I -imagine it will be a pleasure to them to give me information about you.” - -He started towards the door. She leapt forward. “Madman! You do not know -the danger you are running! Stay here by my side.” - -He looked steadily into her eyes, and asked again—“Who are you?” - -She groaned. - -“Why are you so pitiless?” - -“If you do not speak, it is because you are well aware that my scorn for -you would be so great, that nothing but disgust would remain in my memory -from this past happiness!” - -She stood up, and proudly answered— - -“Poor Marcel, you are mistaken—you would still love me. If I pleased, -nothing could withdraw you from me!” - -She looked at him as she spoke, and under the influence of her glance -Marcel felt all his resolutions melt away, a feeling of languor came over -him, and he lost the faculty of will-power. - -“Death is all around us,” she whispered. “Let us forget everything. Do -not think any more, my love—leave your poor tortured heart in peace.” - -Suddenly a sound of footsteps was heard throughout the house, and cries -coming from outside. Then came a sound as though a door had been torn -from its hinges, followed by a revolver-shot. At the same time was heard -a voice, which Marcel knew well. - -“Help! Baudoin, help!” - -Then another shot, followed by a volley of oaths. Marcel, on his feet, -exclaimed— - -“It is my uncle Graff! _Mon Dieu_! They are killing him!” - -“Stay here, do not stir!” said Sophia, in beseeching tones. - -He made no reply, but rushed forward into the corridor, found the -staircase, and, in the semi-darkness, saw in the hall, on the ground -floor, a group of three men, in a hand-to-hand conflict with Graff, who, -half-stifled, and encircled by their arms, was trying in vain to make use -of his revolver. In front of the entrance-door Hans and Baudoin were -engaged in a fierce struggle. The brave servant had his forehead gashed -open, and the blood was flowing freely, but he had obtained a firm hold -on his terrible opponent, and succeeded in holding him harmless for the -moment. - -Standing above the balustrade, Marcel took aim at one of the three men -who were strangling his uncle. A flash followed, and the man fell. At the -same moment a shot was heard behind Marcel, and a ball whizzed past his -ear. Turning round, he found himself face to face with Agostini, who was -preparing to repeat the shot. With a sudden blow he dashed aside the -weapon, seized the Italian by the waist, and, his strength doubled by the -fury and rage which now possessed him, raised him in the air, and flung -him over the rails of the staircase. - -At this exploit, Hans, powerless to strike Marcel, who was descending the -steps four at a time, gave a howl of fury. He shook Baudoin with such -energy that he forced him to abandon his hold. Then he placed him under -his knee, and his iron arm was already raised to deal the deathblow, when -Marcel rushed to the rescue with a terrible blow in the body, which -hurled the colossus to the ground. He immediately rose to his feet, -however, and, taking up a position in a corner, shouted out aloud— - -“Help! Here, you others! Help!” - -But the others had by this time too much to do. The police, attracted by -the firing, invaded the house. Uncle Graff, at liberty, now came up with -his revolver. But Baudoin, in hoarse tones, exclaimed— - -“Monsieur Graff, leave him to me—he is mine! It is he who killed my -General!” - -He then took from the old man’s hand his steel-headed stick, disdaining a -firearm, which would have made the combat unequal, and fell upon Hans. -The bandit swore frightfully on seeing that all was lost; he struck a -blow with his iron fist, but Baudoin lightly stepped aside. Then the -stick whizzed through the air, and the steel head descended. Hans, struck -on the temple, rolled over the flag-stones, and fell like an ox to the -ground. This was a signal for a general rout. The three men who still -resisted now leapt through the open windows, and vanished like shadows -into the garden. - -“All escape is cut off; do not trouble about them,” exclaimed the head -detective. “Let us see after the wounded and the dead.” - -Uncle Graff wished to take Marcel into his arms, question him, and assure -himself that he was safe and sound; but, on turning round, he found -Baudoin wiping away with his handkerchief the blood and perspiration -flowing from his forehead. Marcel, as soon as the issue of the struggle -left no room for doubt, had immediately thought of Sophia. Now that -danger for him had disappeared, it loomed forth with a terrible aspect -for her. The police, who had restored the situation by intervening to -save him, would now appear on the scene for her ruin. He mounted the -stairs more quickly than he had descended, for he felt that the time in -which anything could be done was short indeed. - -Rushing into the room, the door of which was still open, he drew the -bolts on Sophia with as much fear and solicitude as she had drawn them on -himself. She had remained standing, leaning pensively against the -mantelpiece, as though devoid of interest in what was taking place on the -floor beneath. Milona stood by her side; she had doubtless told her of -the defeat of her companions. Marcel, in terrified ardour, rushed up to -her. - -“The house is in the hands of the police, do you not know? Why are you -still here?” - -“I was waiting for you,” replied Sophia, calmly. “But it means ruin to -you!” - -“How does that affect you?” - -“I will not consent to it! I cannot endure the idea that you should -suffer threatenings and torture for having defended me.” - -A light came into Sophia’s face. - -“Then will you still allow me to see you?” - -He replied, firmly— - -“Impossible! After what has taken place between us, I must never see you -again! I cannot, I must not! For your own sake!” - -Her tranquil, careless look returned. - -“Then leave me to my fate!” - -“No! I will not do that! You, ruined on my account, when— Will you -torture my thoughts by the frightful memory of the past?” - -“Oh, Marcel, if I could only please you! If you would only love me! How -dearly I would pay you for such happiness!” - -She smiled. Tears filled her eyes, and she looked so beautiful that a -shudder ran through his whole body. Turning aside, he said— - -“Wretched woman! what will become of you?” - -She showed him a ring, the bezel of which was made of a bead of chased -gold. - -“Look at this bead of gold; it contains liberty and death at the same -time. Pour its contents into a glass of water, and all is over, without -suffering.” - -She stretched out her hand towards a tray containing a bowl of water and -a glass. - -“I forbid you!” cried Marcel, dismayed. - -She looked at him with a terrible intensity, whilst her face shone with -superhuman ardour. - -“Nothing without you!” she said. “Everything with you! Decide!” - -“Impossible!” - -With a sorrowful smile, she continued— - -“Reflect! You know what I am. If you wish, I will live, but only to be -yours. I will come whenever you want me, and will not trouble you in any -way. Oh! every expiation and sacrifice, every grief and pain imaginable, -to be yours once more!” - -Steps were heard mounting the staircase. Marcel, terror-struck, said— - -“They are coming! They will take you! If you wish to save your life, -leave the room at once!” - -“Let them come! They will only take me if I am willing. I have nothing to -fear from any other than yourself. Do you wish me to live? Swear that you -will see me again!” - -At that supreme moment the pale faces of General de Trémont and poor -Laforêt, of Agostini, dead, and Hans, lying on the blood-stained stone, -rose before Marcel’s imagination, and an insurmountable horror came over -him. He bent his head without a word. A slight noise of something -touching glass caused him to look up. He saw Sophia drinking the poison. -Rushing up, he dashed from her hands the empty glass. Smiling, she said— - -“Too late!” - -“Open! Open!” exclaimed several voices behind the door. - -Sophia found sufficient strength to say— - -“Open now, Milona!” - -The Dalmatian obeyed. A veil came over Sophia’s eyes, her cheeks turned -deadly pale. Milona, terrified, fell to the ground, her dark, dishevelled -hair falling round her face like a funeral veil. - -“Where is the woman?” shouted M. Mayeur from the staircase, as he came on -the scene, panting and triumphant. “She has not been allowed to escape, I -hope!” - -He appeared, accompanied by Graff, and stood, as though petrified, on the -threshold. - -Marcel, pointing to Sophia, who had just breathed her last, said— - -“Here she is!” - -The Ténébreuse, ever elusive, had this time taken refuge in the darkness -of eternal night. - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -THE affray of the Boulevard Maillot was prudently passed over as a drama -founded on jealousy. Two men quarrelling over a woman, and the rivals -killing one another over the corpse of the fair one—such was the account -furnished to the reporters. Imagination did the rest. Paris dwelt with -passionate interest for twelve hours on this magnificent butchery, the -horrors of which were described all the better from the fact that no one -had been admitted to see them. M. Mayeur alone made a complete search all -over the house, but discovered nothing calculated to throw any light on -the identity of Hans. Neither the anthropometric service nor the most -experienced detectives could find out the slightest indication as to the -mysterious personality of the dreaded bandit. Certainly he was the same -man whose arm had been carried off at Vanves, when he had appeared there -with Sophia, on the evening the General’s house had been destroyed. But -what was he besides? The international police, on being questioned, said -nothing. Either they knew nothing, or were unwilling to give information. - -Sophia and Agostini were identified. The Princes of Briviesca undertook -to inform the magistrate concerning the one member of their family they -were well pleased to see themselves rid of. Count Grodsko could relate -nothing more than he had already told to the agent who had questioned him -at Monte Carlo. The examining magistrate enraged at finding nothing, -thought for a moment of bringing a charge against Lichtenbach. He -summoned him to his study, questioned him, and tried to obtain from -Baradier and Graff revelations concerning him. But the former would not -impeach, as was expected, their old enemy. Rivalry in business affairs, -quibbles in banking relations, but nothing legally guilty. If a charge -could be brought on these heads, then they would be obliged to surround -the Place de la Bourse, from twelve to three every day, and arrest all -who were raising those frightful cries beneath its columns. Besides, the -highest circles had immediately interceded in favour of Lichtenbach, and -the examining magistrate saw at once that he was on a wrong track. -Accordingly, this time the Vanves affair was definitely shelved, and -classed amongst the legal mysteries of the year. - -But though these tragic events were not destined to have any material -consequences for Lichtenbach, serious moral results rapidly followed. -Within a week following the death of Agostini and Sophia, Mademoiselle -Lichtenbach entered the Convent des Augustines of the Rue Saint Jacques. -She had had a two-hours’ conversation with her father. Pale, but -determined, she was seen to leave her father’s study. Elias followed her, -trembling, and with bowed head, tears streaming down his cheeks. On the -landing he tried to stop his daughter, and stretched out his hands -beseechingly as he stammered— - -“My child, do not be inexorable; have pity on me!” - -Marianne bowed her head as she replied— - -“I wish I could, father; but how will you redeem the past?” - -Without turning round, she descended the stone staircase, at the foot of -which the carriage was waiting to conduct her to the Rue Saint Jacques. A -moan of pain escaped the old man’s lips as he leaned over the iron -balustrade. For a moment he seemed as though he would fling himself over. -Then he cried out in heart-piercing accents— - -“Marianne! Marianne!” - -She raised her head. Stretching out his hands, he groaned— - -“You are the only one I have left in the world! Will you forget your -father?” - -The young girl shook her head sadly, but did not give in. What terrible -explanation could have taken place between father and daughter? What had -Lichtenbach been forced to confess, for Marianne to show herself so -inexorable? She made the sign of the cross, as though to strengthen her -fainting heart. The pallor of her face increased, though she replied in -firm accents— - -“I shall not forget you, father. I will pray for you.” - -She mounted the carriage, a rolling of wheels was heard, then followed a -long silence. Lichtenbach returned slowly to his room, and sank down in a -reverie. - -All the same, he did not give up business. On the contrary, he seemed to -show a greater ardour than before for finance. His position on the -Explosives settled, he regained the ground he had lost by a formidable -campaign on gold mines. Never had his speculations been more brilliant or -lucky than they were during the six months following his daughter’s -departure. One would have thought that his grief had brought him good -fortune, for everything succeeded which he undertook. All the same, -nothing seemed to give him pleasure, and he changed greatly in physique. -No longer could he mount the steps of the Bourse without halting for -breath. Society had no further attractions for him. - -One winter evening, the _valet de chambre_, as he entered his master’s -room, found Elias leaning over his desk, apparently asleep. Calling him -by name, he received no reply. Terrified, he drew nearer, and touched his -master. The banker remained motionless, whilst his hand clasped a short -letter from his daughter. The few words he had been reading were still -moist with the tears he had shed. He was dead, a victim to the only -sentiment by which he had ever been vulnerable; the love of a father. - -Six months later, at twilight, in the study of the Rue de Provènce, Uncle -Graff and Marcel were seated together. After signing all the letters for -the evening’s post, Baradier had retired to his own room. - -The darkness gradually deepened, and uncle and nephew, seated in their -armchairs, without a word, looked like vague, uncertain silhouettes. The -clerks had all left, and silence reigned around. - -“Are you asleep, Uncle Graff?” asked Marcel. - -“No; I was just thinking.” - -“What about?” - -“About all that has happened the past twelve months. It is no mere -trifle!” - -“No, indeed. And what is the result of your reflections?” - -“That we have had the most extraordinary luck; we had to deal with -enemies who seemed destined to triumph over us time after time; and that -we have manifestly been protected by a divine providence.” - -“Uncle Graff, you are rather illogical; extraordinary luck on the one -hand, and divine providence on the other. They do not go very well -together.” - -“Oh, you are too sceptical. It is your generation which makes you so. You -no longer believe in anything.” - -“I do not believe in chance, no!” said Marcel, ironically. Then he added, -in tones of sudden gravity, “But I believe in the firm, steadfast will of -human beings. If we have been protected, as you say truly enough, it is -because it was so willed. But for that—” - -Silence followed. The darkness had now become complete. - -“It was so willed,” repeated Uncle Graff. “You are alluding to that -woman?” - -“I am alluding to ‘that woman.’ It was she who defeated the plans of her -acolytes, and saved me.” - -“Because she loved you?” - -“Because she loved me.” - -“Well, then, tell me what passed between you for a woman of this stamp to -sacrifice herself for a man she first intended to dupe, and afterwards to -rob. For you cannot doubt the fact that she had plans concerning you?” - -“I am quite aware of the fact.” - -“She had had considerable experience in life, and yet—” - -“And yet she fell in love with a young man like myself. Well, probably -because I was a change from all her other acquaintances. A cup of milk to -a drunken man, for instance.” - -“And she killed herself for your sake, under your very eyes?” - -“Yes, Uncle Graff, because I would not promise to see her again.” - -“And yet you loved her?” - -“I both loved and hated her. Had I seen her again she would have obtained -renewed dominion over me and ruined me. I determined it should not be -so.” - -Uncle Graff sighed— - -“And do you sometimes think of this woman?” - -“Always.” - -“Do you know what you ought to do now, if you wish to turn over a new -leaf?” - -“I know very well, my father spoke to me yesterday. And it is doubtless -because I received his overtures coolly, that you are now returning to -the same subject.” - -“You are right, my child. If you would only marry, now that you are -reasonable and settled in life.” - -“Marry Geneviève de Trémont?” - -“Yes. She is the wife your father and mother have always intended for -you. It would give them great pleasure, if you would marry her.” - -After a moment’s silence, Marcel said— - -“When Mademoiselle Lichtenbach came to warn you that a snare had been set -for me, was she excited?” - -“Greatly excited.” - -“And you thought, when you saw her, that this extraordinary emotion was -caused by some special interest she took in myself. At any rate, you said -so to me.” - -“Certainly. I promised I would tell you. Besides, the child pleased me. -She was anything but commonplace. And her determination the following -morning confirmed the good opinion I had formed of her.” - -“Her resolve to enter the convent?” - -“You are right.” - -“In a word, then, Mademoiselle Lichtenbach has abjured the world for my -sake. This child will have been recompensed for her devoted tenderness by -the loss of everything happy and pleasant life had in store for her; and -she is now destined to die poor; wearing a nun’s robe, with shorn hair, -attending to the wants of the destitute?” - -“Yes.” - -“Uncle Graff, in your opinion, are children responsible for the misdeeds -of their parents?” - -The old man did not reply. - -“You do not reply,” urged Marcel. “My question troubles you?” - -“It troubles me greatly. One day, in this very room, I told an envoy of -Lichtenbach’s, who made us an offer of the hand of his daughter for you, -that all the Graffs would rise in their graves if a Baradier were to -marry a Lichtenbach.” - -“What!” exclaimed Marcel, greatly agitated. “Such an offer has been made, -and you never informed me of it?” - -“What would have been the use? You know how we felt just then for me to -have given such an emphatic and stupid reply. Your father—Oh! I believe -he would have preferred to see you in your grave rather than married to a -Lichtenbach. Just think of it! The General had just been killed—the works -were still in flames! No, no! It was impossible.” - -“But now, Uncle Graff?” - -“What! Can you think of such a thing?” asked the sentimental old fellow, -in trembling accents. - -“I think of it so much,” said Marcel, firmly, “that if Mademoiselle -Lichtenbach does not consent to become my wife I will never marry -another.” - -At that moment a slight sound was heard, and the door closed. - -“Who is there?” asked Graff, eagerly. - -“Do not excite yourself,” said the voice of Baradier. - -“Were you listening?” - -“No; I have just come. But I heard your last words. How long are you -going to remain in this darkness?” - -At the same moment he turned on the electric light. The three men looked -at one another for a moment; they were very grave and serious, but a look -of contentment was visible on their countenances. Baradier did not bow -his head with that obstinate mien his son and brother-in-law knew so -well. He was perfectly self-possessed. Sitting down at his desk, he said— - -“What difference would there be between us and mere nobodies or -good-for-nothings if we were incapable of showing gratitude? It is not -sufficient to appear honest and delicate in the eyes of the world—one -must be without the slightest reproach before one’s own conscience.” - -He fixed on his son a look of perfect satisfaction, though his face paled -with the emotion which had taken possession of him. - -“Marcel has spoken like a real Baradier or Graff. We must do as he has -said.” - -At these simple words the three men quivered, consecrating as they did -their successor with the worthy renown of his predecessors. Tears of joy -and pride shone in his uncle’s eyes. Marcel, without a word, flung -himself into his father’s arms. - - * * * * * - - THE END - - PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES. - - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOMAN OF MYSTERY*** - - -******* This file should be named 69149-0.txt or 69149-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/9/1/4/69149 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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