ers, and selected one more worn and
crumpled than the rest.

Flint's eyes fed upon it.

"Of course," said Flint, "I have not such an amount in the house. I have a
hundred dollars up stairs, and will give you a check for the remainder.
Will that do?"

"No and yes; but get the money, and I'll see."

Flint left him alone. From a safe in his bed-chamber he took a small bag
of gold, and caressed it for a moment very much as one's grandmother would
a pet cat; then he filled up a check, and called Michel.

"Run to the police station, Michel, and tell Captain L.----to send me
three or four men."

Michel shot down stairs, and his master followed him leisurely, patting the
gold-bag lovingly at every other step.

"Does he think," said Flint's visitor to himself, as the library door
closed--"_can_ he think I would part with this paper? He, so full of
worldly shrewdness, so simple?"

After awhile the door opened.

"There!" gasped Flint, placing the bag on the table before the man; "the
letter! the letter!"

The stranger carelessly threw a rumpled paper toward Flint, who grasped it
convulsively. His hand touched a bell-rope, and before the bell had ceased
tinkling, a heavy measured tramp came through the entry. Four policemen
entered the room in single file, with Michel behind them making comical
efforts to keep step.

"Arrest him!" cried Flint, hoarse with passion and triumph, "he has
extorted money from me!"

"Flint," said the man, walking toward him, "you know that's a lie!"

Mr. Flint retreated behind the policeman.

"This person," he cried, "is a stranger to me; he forced his way into my
house and has threatened my life. Arrest him quickly, for he is no doubt
armed!"

"Gentlemen," said the stranger, turning to the officers, "Mr. Flint, I
fear, has given you useless trouble. Michel, more glasses!"

At this, that astonished individual went off like a rocket.

"For the love you bear your good name, Mr. Flint", he continued, "look at
the paper which you so innocently put in your pocket."

An idea struck Flint, which caused him to turn pale. He tore open the
letter; but it was not the one for which he would have given half his
fortune. Oh! sagacious, wily, clear-sighted Mr. Flint!

"You had better tell these gentlemen that you have made a mistake, Flint.
But, before they go, they must have a glass of wine."

Michel had failed to appear with the extra glasses; but the want of them
was elegantly supplied by th