r. Need I state his name?"

"The Marquis d'Albufex?" said Prasville.

"The Marquis d'Albufex," said M. Nicole.

M. Nicole, who no longer seemed in the least worried with his hat, his
glove and his umbrella, rose and said to Prasville:

"Monsieur le secretaire-general, I might have kept my discovery to
myself, and not told you of it until after the final victory, that is,
after bringing you the list of the Twenty-seven. But matters are urgent.
Daubrecq's disappearance, contrary to what his kidnappers expect, may
hasten on the catastrophe which you wish to avert. We must therefore act
with all speed. Monsieur le secretaire-general, I ask for your immediate
and practical assistance."

"In what way can I help you?" asked Prasville, who was beginning to be
impressed by his quaint visitor.

"By giving me, to-morrow, those particulars about the Marquis d'Albufex
which it would take me personally several days to collect."

Prasville seemed to hesitate and turned his head toward Mme. Mergy.
Clarisse said:

"I beg of you to accept M. Nicole's services. He is an invaluable and
devoted ally. I will answer for him as I would for myself."

"What particulars do you require, monsieur?" asked Prasville.

"Everything that concerns the Marquis d'Albufex: the position of his
family, the way in which he spends his time, his family connections, the
properties which he owns in Paris and in the country."

Prasville objected:

"After all, whether it's the marquis or another, Daubrecq's kidnapper
is working on our behalf, seeing that, by capturing the list, he disarms
Daubrecq."

"And who says, monsieur le secretaire-general, that he is not working on
his own behalf?"

"That is not possible, as his name is on the list."

"And suppose he erases it? Suppose you then find yourself dealing with a
second blackmailer, even more grasping and more powerful than the first
and one who, as a political adversary, is in a better position than
Daubrecq to maintain the contest?"

The secretary-general was struck by the argument. After a moment's
thought, he said:

"Come and see me in my office at four o'clock tomorrow. I will give you
the particulars. What is your address, in case I should want you?"

"M. Nicole, 25, Place de Clichy. I am staying at a friend's flat, which
he has lent me during his absence."

The interview was at an end. M. Nicole thanked the secretary-general,
with a very low bow, and walked out, accompanied by Mme. Mer