sserts that you can tell me what has
become of George de Croisenois."

A man could not have displayed the nerve evinced by this frail and
tender woman, for however callous he may be, some feature will betray
the torture he is enduring; but a woman can often turn a smiling face
upon the person who is racking her very soul. At the mere name of
Montlouis the Count had staggered, as though crushed down by a blow from
a sledge hammer; but at this accusation of Hortebise the Countess burst
into a peal of laughter, apparently perfectly frank and natural, which
utterly prevented her from replying.

"My dear doctor," said she at length, as soon as she could manage to
speak, "your tale is highly sensational and amusing, but I really think
that you ought to consult a _clairvoyant_, and not a matter-of-fact
person like me, about the fate of George de Croisenois."

But the doctor, who was ready with his retort, and, not at all
disconcerted by the cachinations of the Countess, heaved a deep sigh, as
though a great load had been removed from his heart, and, with an air of
extreme delight, exclaimed, "Thank Heaven! then I was deceived."

He uttered these words with an affectation of such sincerity that the
Countess fell into the trap.

"Come," said she, with a winning smile, "tell me who it is that says I
know so much."

"Pooh! pooh!" returned Hortebise. "What good would that do? He has made
a fool of me, and caused me to risk losing your good opinion. Is not
that enough? To-morrow, when he comes to my house, my servants will
refuse to admit him; but if I were to do as my inclinations lead me, I
should hand him over to the police."

"That would never do," returned the Countess, "for that would change
a mere nothing into a matter of importance. Tell me the name of your
mysterious informer. Do I know him?"

"It is impossible that you could do so, madame, for he is far below you
in the social grade. You would learn nothing from his name. He is a man
I once helped, and is called Daddy Tantaine."

"A mere nickname, of course."

"He is miserably poor, a cynic, philosopher, but as sharp as a needle;
and this last fact causes me great uneasiness, for at first I thought
that he had been sent to me by some one far above him in position,
but--"

"But, doctor," interposed the Countess, "you spoke to me of proofs, of
threats, of certain mysterious persons."

"I simply repeated Daddy Tantaine's words. The old idiot said to me,
'Madam