Toto pointed significantly to his rags as he replied,--

"This rig out wouldn't pass muster, but I have a scheme in hand."

Tantaine took down the address of the dancing-saloon, and then,
addressing Toto with the utmost severity,--

"Do you think," said he, "that this report is worth a hundred francs?"

Toto made a quaint grimace.

"Do you think," asked he, "that Caroline can lead the life she does
without money? No fear. Well, I have found out where the coin comes
from."

The dim light in the office enabled Tantaine to hide the pleasure he
felt on hearing these words.

"Ah," answered he carelessly, as if it was a matter of but little
moment, "and so you have found out all that, have you?

"Yes, and a heap besides. Just you listen. After her breakfast, my sweet
Carry began to play cards with some chaps who had been grubbing at the
next table. 'Regular right down card sharpers and macemen,' said I
to myself, as I watched the way in which they faked the pasteboards.
'They'll get everything out of you, old gal.' I was in the right, for in
less than an hour she had to go up to the counter and leave one of her
rings as security for the breakfast. He said he knew her, and would give
her credit. 'You are a trump,' said she. 'I'll just trot off to my own
crib and get the money.'"

"Did she go home?"

"Not she; she went to a real swell house in a bang up part of Paris,
the Rue de Varennes. She knocked at the door, and in she went, while I
lounged about outside."

"Do you know who lives there?"

"Of course I do. The grocer round the corner told me that it was
inhabited by the Duke--what was his blessed name? Oh, the Duke----"

"Was it the Duke de Champdoce?"

"That is the right one, a chap they say as has his cellars chock full of
gold and silver."

"You are rather slow, my lad," said Tantaine, with his assumed air of
indifference. "Get on a bit, do."

Toto was much put out; for he had expected that his intelligence would
have created an immense sensation.

"Give a cove time to breathe in. Well, in half an hour out comes my
Carry as lively as a flea. She got into a passing cab and away she went.
Fortunately I can run a bit, and reached the Palais Royal in time to
see Caroline change two notes of two hundred francs each at the
money-changers."

"How did you find out that?"

"By looking at 'em. The paper was yellow."

Tantaine smiled kindly. "You know a banknote then?"

"Yes, but I have precious few