al trivial remarks. He
was not particularly intelligent, except as regarded his self-interests,
and though, of course, he knew that there must be some connection
between his interests and the recital that Mascarin had just made, he
could not for the life of him make out what it was. Mascarin seemed
utterly careless of the effect that he had produced. But the next time
that his walk brought him to his desk he stopped, and, adjusting his
glasses, said, "I trust, Marquis, that you will forgive this long
preliminary address, which would really make a good sensational novel;
but we have now arrived at the really practical part of the business."
As he said these words, he took up an imposing attitude, with his elbow
resting on the mantelpiece.

"On the night of which I have spoken, I and my friends released
ourselves from all the bonds of virtue and honor, and freed ourselves
from all the fetters of duty to our fellow-men. The plan emanated from
my brain complete in all its details in the will I made twenty years ago
to my friends. Marquis, as the summer goes on, you know that the ripest
and reddest cherries are the fullest flavored, just so, in the noblest
and wealthiest of families in Paris there is not one that has not some
terrible and ghostly secret which is sedulously concealed. Now, suppose
that one man should gain possession of all of them, would he not be sole
and absolute master? Would he not be more powerful than a despot on
his throne? Would he not be able to sway society in any manner he might
think fit? Well, I said to myself, I will be that man!"

Ever since the Marquis had been in relation with Mascarin, he had
shrewdly suspected that his business was not conducted on really fair
principles.

"What you mention," said he, "is nothing but an elaborate and extended
system of blackmail."

Mascarin bowed low, with an ironical smile on his face. "Just so,
Marquis, just so; you have hit on the very name. The word is modern, but
the operation doubtless dates from the earliest ages. The day upon which
one man began to trade upon the guilty secret of another was the date
of the institution of this line of business. If antiquity makes a thing
respectable, then blackmailing is worthy of great respect."

"But, sir," said the Marquis, with a flush upon his face, "but, sir--"

"Pshaw!" broke in Mascarin, "does a mere word frighten you? Who has not
done some of it in his time? Why, look at yourself. Do you not recollect