unlimited
money. Do you think, Marquis, that any one man of that rabble was above
the reach--of money?"

And Mr. Dormer Colville's reflective smile, as he gazed at the distant
sea, would seem to indicate that, after a considerable experience of men
and women, he had reluctantly arrived at a certain conclusion respecting
them.

"No man born of woman, Marquis, is proof against bribery or flattery--or
both."

"One can believe anything that is bad of such dregs of human-kind, my
friend," said Monsieur de Gemosac, contemptuously.

"I speak to one," continued Colville, "who has given the attention of
a lifetime to the subject. If I am wrong, correct me. What I have been
told is that a man was found who was ready, in return for a certain sum
paid down, to substitute his own son for the little Dauphin--to allow
his son to take the chance of coming alive out of that predicament. One
can imagine that such a man could be found in France at that period."

Monsieur de Gemosac turned, and looked at his companion with a sort of
surprise.

"You speak as if in doubt, Monsieur Colville," he said, with a sudden
assumption of that grand manner with which his father had faced the
people on the Place de la Revolution--had taken a pinch of snuff in the
shadow of the guillotine one sunny July day. "You speak as if in doubt.
Such a man was found. I have spoken with him: I, who speak to you."

CHAPTER IV. THE MARQUIS'S CREED

Dormer Colville smiled doubtfully. He was too polite, it seemed, to be
sceptical, and by his attitude expressed a readiness to be convinced as
much from indifference as by reasoning.

"It is intolerable," said the Marquis de Gemosac, "that a man of your
understanding should be misled by a few romantic writers in the pay of
the Orleans."

"I am not misled, Marquis; I am ignorant," laughed Colville. "It is not
always the same thing."

Monsieur de Gemosac threw away his cigarette and turned eagerly toward
his companion.

"Listen," he said. "I can convince you in a few words."

And Colville leaned back against the weather-worn seat with the air of
one prepared to give a post-prandial attention.

"Such a man was found as you yourself suggest. A boy was found who
could not refuse to run that great risk, who could not betray himself
by indiscreet speech--because he was dumb. In order to allay certain
rumours which were going the round of Europe, the National Convention
sent three of its members to visit