ed that very morning, that if Paul was to be a
useful tool, he must be at once set face to face with the grim realities
of the position.

"Now," said he, "for the really serious reason for my visit. How do we
stand now with regard to the Viscountess Bois Arden?"

Van Klopen gave his shoulders a shrug as he answered, "She is all right.
I have just sent her several most expensive costumes."

"How much does she owe you?"

"Say twenty-five thousand francs. She has owed us more than that
before."

"Really?" remarked Mascarin, "that woman has been grossly libelled; she
is vain, frivolous, and fond of admiration, but nothing more. For a
whole fortnight I have been prying into her life, but I can't hit
upon anything in it to give us a pull over her. The debt may help us,
however. Does her husband know that she has an account with us?"

"Of course he does not; he is most liberal to her, and if he inquired--"

"Then we are all right; we will send in the bill to him."

"But, my good sir," urged Van Klopen, "it was only last week that she
paid us a heavy sum on account."

"The more reason to press her, for she must be hard up."

Van Klopen would have argued further, but an imperious sign from
Mascarin reduced him to silence.

"Listen to me," said Mascarin, "and please do not interrupt me. Are you
known to the domestics at the house of the Viscountess?"

"Not at all."

"Well, then, at three o'clock sharp, the day after to-morrow, call on
her. Her footman will say that Madame has a visitor with her."

"I will say I will wait."

"Not at all. You must almost force your way in, and you will find
the Viscountess talking to the Marquis de Croisenois. You know him, I
suppose?"

"By sight--nothing more."

"That is sufficient. Take no notice of him; but at once present your
bill, and violently insist upon immediate payment."

"What can you be thinking of? She will have me kicked out of doors."

"Quite likely; but you must threaten to take the bill to her husband.
She will command you to leave the house, but you will sit down doggedly
and declare that you will not move until you get the money."

"But that is most unbusinesslike behavior."

"I quite agree with you; but the Marquis de Croisenois will interfere;
he will throw a pocketbook in your face, exclaiming, 'There is your
money, you impudent scoundrel!'"

"Then I am to slink away?"

"Yes, but before doing so, you will give a receipt in this
form--'Received fr