a shrewd lawyer; but yet he did not
shine in court. He must therefore, to make those thirty thousand francs
a year which he was credited with doing, have some special line of
business. He assayed rather risky matters, which might bring both
parties into the clutches of the criminal law, or, at any rate, leave
them with a taint upon both their names. A sensational lawsuit is
begun, and the public eagerly await the result; suddenly the whole thing
collapses, for Catenac has acted as mediator. He has even settled the
disputes of murderers quarreling over their booty. But he has even gone
farther than this. More than once he has said of himself, "I have passed
through the vilest masses of corruption." In his office in the Rue Jacob
he has heard whispered conferences which were enough to bring down the
roof above his head. Of course this was the most lucrative business
that passed into Catenac's hands. The client conceals nothing from his
attorney, and he belongs to him as absolutely as the sick man belongs to
his physician or the penitent to his confessor.

"Well, my dear Baptiste," said he, "here I am; you summoned me, and I am
obedient to the call."

"Sit down," replied Mascarin gravely.

"Thanks, my friend, many thanks, a thousand thanks; but I am much
hurried; indeed I have not a moment to spare. I have matters on my hands
of life and death."

"But for all that," remarked Hortebise, "you can sit down for a moment.
Baptiste has something to say to you which is as important as any of
your matters can be."

With a frank and genial smile Catenac obeyed; but in his heart were
anger and an abject feeling of alarm.

"What is it that is so important?" asked he.

Mascarin had risen and locked the door. When he had resumed his seat he
said,--

"The facts are very simple. Hortebise and I have decided to put our
great plan into execution, which we have as yet only discussed generally
with you. We have the Marquis de Croisenois with us."

"My dear sir," broke in the lawyer.

"Wait a little; we must have your assistance, and----"

Catenac rose from his seat. "That is enough," said he. "You have made a
very great mistake if it is on this matter that you have sent for me; I
told you this before."

He was turning away, and looking for his hat, proposed to beat a
retreat; but Dr. Hortebise stood between him and the door, gazing upon
him with no friendly expression of countenance. Catenac was not a man to
be easily alarmed