of anticipated expense," and Richard tendered Inspector Val
a check for one thousand dollars.

"That wasn't necessary," said Inspector Val, as he calmly pocketed the
check.

When Richard arrived at the station he found Inspector Val already
there. "I've taken a drawing-room," said the latter. "It may be a
weakness, but my inclination runs heavily towards concealment. I have a
horror of being seen."

"I have horrors of much the same color," returned Richard.

Richard showed Mr. Bayard the note he had received, and told of its
appearance, and the construction of the note as given by Inspector Val.

"And the question is," concluded Richard, "can we by any chance get hold
of those French shares?"

"Can we get those French shares?" repeated Mr. Bayard, as though
revolving the question in his thoughts. "I should say we might; yes, I'm
quite sure. I think it will offer no more of difficulty than just
finding out where this Storri negotiates his loans. I know where to go
for the information and, if I ask it in person, it will be forthcoming."
While Mr. Bayard spoke, his wits were working like a flashlight,
displaying for his consideration every possibility presented by the
situation. His confidence must have been strengthened by the survey, for
he closed with emphasis, saying: "I am a false prophet if I do not place
those French shares in your hands, your own property and bought with
your own money, within a fortnight."

"Within a fortnight!" exclaimed Richard, his face brightening with the
satisfaction the promise gave him.

There was that in Mr. Bayard's manner which invested his utterance with
all the credit granted his signature at the banks. Richard felt as
though the French certificates, which meant so much to Dorothy and to
him, were as good as in his hands.

"When I say a fortnight," observed Mr. Bayard, "I ought to add my
reasons. The source of my news is unimportant, but you may accept it as
settled that Tuesday next has been secretly pitched upon by our worthy
President for divers warlike declarations, founded on the Monroe
Doctrine, and pointed at Germany, whose cruisers are just now nosing
about on a debt-collecting errand against one of the South American
states. The President will resent the nosing, call German attention to
our Monroe Doctrine as the line fence between the hemispheres, and then
mount guard over the sacred rails of that venerated barrier with a gun.
All of which might excite but little