was hasty. I should have let you speak,
first. God be praised, everything is well. De Grissac--think of it--they
will puzzle their brains over that cipher for weeks and weeks and they
will discover nothing--nothing! Is it not splendid!" He grasped the
Ambassador's hand and embraced him with ardor. "Magnificent! Superb!"

The Ambassador was no less overjoyed. "Young man," he said, "we owe you
the deepest apologies. No one could have done better. I thank you from
the bottom of my heart." Dufrenne also offered his congratulations. "My
friend," he said, "I have done you a great injustice. I salute you, not
only as a brave man, but as a very shrewd one. As for me, I fear I am
only an old fool."

Duvall patted the old man on the shoulder and smiled. "A patriot,
monsieur, and for that I honor you. I was luckily able to turn the
tables on these fellows. But one thing you, and all of you, gentlemen,
should know. Had I not been able to substitute a false key for the real
one, the latter would never have passed into Hartmann's hands, if I had
died for it."

"I know it, my friend. I was a fool, a dolt, even for one moment to
doubt it. I ask your pardon, and that of madame, your wife," cried
Lefevre, seizing Duvall's hands in his. Grace looked proudly at her
husband, her knowledge of her own weakness forgotten in the triumph that
he had won.

"And now, monsieur," said Duvall, with a look of happiness in his face
as he caught his wife's glance, "with your permission, Mrs. Duvall and
myself will begin once more our interrupted honeymoon."

The Prefect put his arm about the detective's shoulder, and gave him an
affectionate hug. "My poor children," he cried, smiling at Grace. "In my
excitement, my happiness, I had completely forgotten that you are only
just married. And such a honeymoon as you have had. It is indeed
shameful, and the fault is mine--mine alone. But I shall make amends, my
children. You have rendered both me, and France, a great service, and I
do not forget it. I insist that to-night you shall dine with me. You, De
Grissac," he exclaimed, turning to the Ambassador, "will, I know, be one
of the party. And it is not alone for the purpose of dining that I ask
you, your service to France shall be acknowledged in a more substantial
way. Monsieur de Grissac and myself will have the honor to present to
you, Monsieur Duvall, and to your charming bride, some tokens of our
gratitude and esteem. After that--go--enjoy your happ