llect touching the birth of
a young girl known as La Goualeuse, and also of the now residence of an
individual called Francois Germain, son of the Schoolmaster."

"Be kind enough to read me the result of your inquiries, my dear De
Grauen. I am well aware what are his royal highness's intentions in the
matter; I shall be able to judge then whether the information you
possess will be sufficient to enable him to carry them into effect. You
have every reason to be satisfied with the agent you employ, I suppose?"

"Oh, he is a rare fellow! so precise, methodical, zealous, and
intelligent! I am, indeed, sometimes obliged to moderate his energy; for
I am well aware there are certain points, the clearing up of which his
highness reserves for himself."

"And, of course, your agent is far from suspecting the deep interest his
royal highness has in the matter?"

"Entirely so. My diplomatic position affords an excellent pretext for
the inquiries I have undertaken. M. Badinot (for such is the name of the
person I am speaking of) is a sharp, shrewd individual, having
connections, either recognised or concealed, in every grade of society.
He was formerly a lawyer, but compelled to quit his profession from some
very serious breach of trust; he has, however, retained very accurate
recollections touching the fortunes and situations of his old clients;
he knows many a secret, which he boasts, with considerable effrontery,
of having turned to a good account. By turns, rich and poor,--now
successful, and then a ruined man,--he only ceased his speculations when
none could be found to take part in them with him; reduced to live from
day to day by expedients more or less illegal, he became a curious
specimen of the Figaro school,--so long as his interest was concerned he
would devote himself, soul and body, to his employer; and we are sure of
his fidelity, for the simple reason that he has nothing to gain, though
a great deal to lose, by deceiving us; and, besides, I make him careful
of our interests, even unknown to himself."

"The particulars he has hitherto furnished us with have been very
correct and satisfactory."

"Oh, he has a very straightforward manner of going to work! And I assure
you, my dear Murphy, that M. Badinot is the very original type of one of
those mysterious existences which are to be met with, and only
possible, in Paris. He would greatly amuse his royal highness, if it
were not necessary to avoid their being known