. And what would become of me if I happened
to side against him? I should be compelled to leave Paris. Ah! I'd give
ten thousand francs to any one who'd settle this cursed affair for me!"

His perplexity was so great, and his anger so intense, for that once he
tore off his eternal fez and flung it on to the table, swearing like a
drayman. However, controlling himself at last, he exclaimed in a tone
of assumed indifference: "No matter, there's been enough said on this
subject for one day--I'm here to play--so let us begin, baron. For we
are wasting precious time, as you so often remark."

Pascal had nothing more to learn; so he shook hands with the baron, made
an appointment with him for the same evening, and went away.

It was only half-past two; a good hour and a half remained at his
disposal. "I will profit by this opportunity to eat something," he
thought; a sudden faintness reminding him that he had taken nothing but
a cup of chocolate that day. Thereupon perceiving a cafe near by, he
entered it, ordered breakfast, and lingered there until it was time to
return to the Marquis de Valorsay's. He would have gone there before
the appointed time if he had merely listened to the promptings of his
impatience, so thoroughly was he persuaded that this second interview
would be decisive. But prudence advised him not to expose himself to the
danger of an encounter with Madame Leon and Dr. Jodon.

"Well! Monsieur Maumejan," cried the marquis, as soon as Pascal made his
appearance. He had been counting the seconds with intense anxiety, as
his tone of voice unmistakably revealed.

In reply Pascal gravely drew from his pocket twenty-four bank-notes, of
a thousand francs each, and he placed them upon the table, saying:
"Here is the amount, Monsieur le Marquis. I have, of course, deducted
my commission. Now, if you will write and sign a note for twenty-five
thousand francs, payable to my order two months hence, our business for
to-day will be concluded."

M. de Valorsay's hand trembled nervously as he penned the desired note,
for, until the very last moment, he had doubted the promises of this
unknown agent who had made his appearance so opportunely Then, when the
document was signed, he carelessly slipped the money into a drawer
and exclaimed: "So here's the needful to pay my debt of honor; but my
embarrassment is none the less great. These twenty-four thousand francs
won't take the place of the hundred thousand which Baron Tr