ith him
when a good idea was presented to his mind; he shoved up his cap with a
hasty motion.

"At such times," continued Coyctier, "persons attend to their business
while asleep. As this man is fond of hoarding, he has simply pursued his
dearest habit. No doubt each of these attacks have come on after a day
in which he has felt some fears about the safety of his treasure."

"Pasques-Dieu! and such treasure!" cried the king.

"Where is it?" asked Cornelius, who, by a singular provision of nature,
heard the remarks of the king and his physician, while continuing
himself almost torpid with thought and the shock of this singular
misfortune.

"Ha!" cried Coyctier, bursting into a diabolical, coarse laugh,
"somnambulists never remember on their waking what they have done when
asleep."

"Leave us," said the king.

When Louis XI. was alone with his silversmith, he looked at him and
chuckled coldly.

"Messire Hoogworst," he said, with a nod, "all treasures buried in
France belong to the king."

"Yes, sire, all is yours; you are the absolute master of our lives and
fortunes; but, up to this moment, you have only taken what you need."

"Listen to me, old crony; if I help you to recover this treasure, you
can surely, and without fear, agree to divide it with me."

"No, sire, I will not divide it; I will give it all to you, at my death.
But what scheme have you for finding it?"

"I shall watch you myself when you are taking your nocturnal tramps. You
might fear any one but me."

"Ah, sire!" cried Cornelius, flinging himself at the king's feet, "you
are the only man in the kingdom whom I would trust for such a service;
and I will try to prove my gratitude for your goodness, by doing
my utmost to promote the marriage of the Burgundian heiress with
Monseigneur. She will bring you a noble treasure, not of money, but of
lands, which will round out the glory of your crown."

"There, there, Dutchman, you are trying to hoodwink me," said the king,
with frowning brows, "or else you have already done so."

"Sire! can you doubt my devotion? you, who are the only man I love!"

"All that is talk," returned the king, looking the other in the eyes.
"You need not have waited till this moment to do me that service. You
are selling me your influence--Pasques-Dieu! to me, Louis XI.! Are you
the master, and am I your servant?"

"Ah, sire," said the old man, "I was waiting to surprise you agreeably
with news of the arrangements I h