affairs."

He was interrupted by the entrance of a stranger.

The new-comer was a dandified-looking coachman, with elegant black
whiskers, shining boots with fancy tops; buff breeches, and a yellow
waistcoat with red and black stripes.

After cautiously looking around the room, he walked straight up to the
table where M. Verduret sat.

"What is the news, Master Joseph Dubois?" said the stout man eagerly.

"Ah, patron, don't speak of it!" answered the servant: "things are
getting warm."

Prosper concentrated all his attention upon this superb domestic. He
thought he recognized his face. He had certainly somewhere seen that
retreating forehead and those little restless black eyes, but where and
when he could not remember.

Meanwhile, Master Joseph had taken a seat at a table adjoining the
one occupied by M. Verduret and Prosper; and, having called for some
absinthe, was preparing it by holding the water aloft and slowly
dropping it in the glass.

"Speak!" said M. Verduret.

"In the first place, patron, I must say that the position of valet and
coachman to M. de Clameran is not a bed of roses."

"Go on: come to the point. You can complain to-morrow."

"Very good. Yesterday my master walked out at two o'clock. I, of course,
followed him. Do you know where he went? The thing was as good as a
farce. He went to the Archangel to keep the appointment made by 'Nina
Gypsy.'"

"Well, make haste. They told him she was gone. Then?"

"Then? Ah! he was not at all pleased, I can tell you. He hurried back to
the hotel where the other, M. de Lagors, awaited him. And, upon my soul,
I have never heard so much swearing in my life! M. Raoul asked him
what had happened to put him in such a bad humor. 'Nothing,' replied my
master, 'except that little devil has run off, and no one knows where
she is; she has slipped through our fingers.' Then they both appeared
to be vexed and uneasy. Lagors asked if she knew anything serious. 'She
knows nothing but what I told you,' replied Clameran; 'but this nothing,
falling in the ear of a man with any suspicions, will be more than
enough to work on.'"

M. Verduret smiled like a man who had his reasons for appreciating at
their just value De Clameran's fears.

"Well, your master is not without sense, after all; don't you think he
showed it by saying that?"

"Yes, patron. Then Lagors exclaimed, 'If it is as serious as that,
we must get rid of this little serpent!' But my master shrugged