th a whole skin."

It was better though to let him know of Yvard's wound, for that would
perhaps assist us in a measure to determine upon our future course. So
that part of the affair I detailed in full.

"Verily, lad, your savage accomplishment stood you in good stead."

He recognized the description I gave of the fellow with Yvard, but said
he was a bully, hired merely to fight, and perhaps knew nothing of
consequence. Then we examined very closely the envelope containing the
papers. It had, from all appearance, come over from the colonies, and
bore traces of having long been carried about a man's person. This
settled one matter. The go-betweens had met, and the traitor on le
Dauphin was most likely in possession of the instructions from Spain.
This made his capture the more important.

De Greville well merited all Serigny had said of his shrewdness, and
more. Now see what a simple scheme he laid.

We were first to find where Yvard was hidden. He would certainly go
into hiding until his wound was healed; the finding of the papers upon
him making it necessary he should not be seen in Paris.

Where would he be likely to secrete himself? Ah, trust a woman for
that; so reasoned Jerome. What woman? L'Astrea, of course. Of her
intrigue with Yvard, de Greville, who was a handsome gallant with a
smooth tongue, had learned from a waitress at Bertrand's. This was the
more probable because, Bertrand's being a public place, the confederate
could seek him there without suspicion. This confederate being unknown
and unsuspected could come and go unchallenged. Jerome's deductions
were plain enough when he told me these things and the wherefore.

It was agreed our plan would be to watch L'Astrea; she at least would
enable us to find Yvard, or his accomplice whom we most wished to
discover.

Who would do this? Why I, of course, for no one knew me, or would know
me when I had wrought the miracle of shining boots, blue coat, curly
wig, laces at throat, in all which small matters Jerome was a
connoisseur, and so it was laid out with much care; run the quarry to
earth, then continue the chase as needs demanded.

Yet folly of follies; how lightly are such well arranged plans broken
into. Through a woman came all this scheming, by a woman's hand it was
all swept into naught. Both innocent of intention, both ignorant of
effect. Yet it was true. Jerome and I, as we then thought, disposed
our pieces with great care