d attempt. She calmly lifted
him by the collar and landed him on the stairs, half way down.

"Robbers! Murderers!" shouted the Vicomte.

"Confound you! hold your tongue!" said Robeccal, flourishing the knife
which had such an effect on Fernando.

"Why do you not keep your word?" angrily asked the Vicomte; "you
promised--"

"People like us do not keep our promises," answered La Roulante,
cynically. "You paid us for carrying off the girl, you paid us for
giving her a shelter; we have done both. But if you wish to enter that
room it will cost you twenty thousand francs!"

"But that is an enormous sum!" moaned Talizac.

"Not to a man like you, who has a grandee for a father, and a mother
rolling in wealth. She has diamonds, plenty of them!"

"Wretches that you are!"

"Thank you! I don't care for any more of these hard names, if it is all
the same to you! And now let me tell you, if you don't hand over this
money that the police will be at your heels."

At the word police, Fernando went to the Vicomte. "Come," he said, "we
had better not remain in this cut-throat place. You must give the matter
up, that is all there is to be said."

"No, I tell you, no!" Feeling in his pocket, Talizac drew out a handful
of gold and flung it at the woman.

"Take this," he cried, "and unlock that door!"

La Roulante counted the money. "No," she replied, "this is but
thirty-two louis."

"Come," persisted Fernando, dragging Talizac away.

"Call again!" shouted the woman. "You need not be in a hurry, but call
again!"

And the door closed.

"My idea is a good one," said La Roulante to Robeccal. "He will come
back, and will bring the twenty thousand francs!"

CHAPTER XXX.

MACHIAVELLI & CO.

Day was breaking. The Marquis de Fongereues was standing in his
dressing-room, listening with frowning brow to Cyprien, who was
narrating the events of the night.

"I assure you, sir," said the valet, obsequiously, "that every precaution
was taken, and yet we failed."

"There is one comfort--that Fanfar is every day compromising himself
more deeply with these conspirators."

"Yes, and when the hour comes, Fanfar's condemnation is certain."

"But if he escapes us?"

"Impossible! We shall have him, even if we are forced to put the entire
police on his track!"

A lacquey knocked at the door and entered.

"The Marquis de Montferrand desires to see you, sir, on a matter of
great importance."

"Show him up at once!" said