is old man was the Maitre Jacques of China.
Along the walls ran long shelves, on which the published numbers lay in
piles. A partition in wood, with a grating lined with green curtains,
cut off the end of the room, forming a private office. A till with a
slit to admit or disgorge crown pieces indicated the cash-desk.

"M. d'Espard?" said Popinot, addressing the man, who wore a gray blouse.

The shopman opened the door into the next room, where the lawyer and
his companion saw a venerable old man, white-headed and simply dressed,
wearing the Cross of Saint-Louis, seated at a desk. He ceased comparing
some sheets of colored prints to look up at the two visitors. This room
was an unpretentious office, full of books and proof-sheets. There was
a black wood table at which some one, at the moment absent, no doubt was
accustomed to work.

"The Marquis d'Espard?" said Popinot.

"No, monsieur," said the old man, rising; "what do you want with him?"
he added, coming forward, and showing by his demeanor the dignified
manners and habits due to a gentlemanly education.

"We wish to speak with him on business exclusively personal to himself,"
replied Popinot.

"D'Espard, here are some gentlemen who want to see you," then said the
old man, going into the furthest room, where the Marquis was sitting by
the fire reading the newspaper.

This innermost room had a shabby carpet, the windows were hung with gray
holland curtains; the furniture consisted of a few mahogany chairs, two
armchairs, a desk with a revolving front, an ordinary office table, and
on the chimney-shelf, a dingy clock and two old candlesticks. The old
man led the way for Popinot and his registrar, and pulled forward two
chairs, as though he were master of the place; M. d'Espard left it to
him. After the preliminary civilities, during which the judge watched
the supposed lunatic, the Marquis naturally asked what was the object of
this visit. On this Popinot glanced significantly at the old gentleman
and the Marquis.

"I believe, Monsieur le Marquis," said he, "that the character of my
functions, and the inquiry that has brought me here, make it desirable
that we should be alone, though it is understood by law that in such
cases the inquiries have a sort of family publicity. I am judge on the
Inferior Court of Appeal for the Department of the Seine, and charged
by the President with the duty of examining you as to certain facts
set forth in a petition for a Commis