e was sent to a certain M. Lecoq."

To Paul's utter astonishment, the name produced a sudden and terrible
effect upon Doctor Hortebise, who started to his feet as if propelled
from his chair by the unexpected application of some hidden motive
power, and, fingering the locket that hung from his chain, gazed round
upon his associates with wild and excited eyes.

"Stop!" cried he. "If that fellow Lecoq is to put his nose into your
case, I withdraw; I will have nothing to do with it, for it is certain
to be a failure."

He appeared to be so thoroughly frightened, that Catenac condescended to
smile.

"Yes, yes," said he, "I can understand your alarm; but be at ease; Lecoq
has nothing to do with us."

But Hortebise was not satisfied with Catenac's assurance, and looked for
confirmation from Mascarin.

"Lecoq has nothing to do with us," repeated his friend. "The fool
said that his position prevented him from giving his time to any
investigation of a private nature, which, by the way, is quite true.
The Duke offered him a heavy sum to throw up his appointment, but
he refused, saying he did not work for money, but from love for his
profession."

"Which is quite true," interrupted Catenac.

"However," continued Mascarin, "to cut short my narrative, the Duke, on
the refusal of Lecoq to act, applied to Catenac."

"Yes," answered the lawyer, "and the Duke has placed the conduct of the
search in my hands."

"Have you formed any plan of action?"

"Not at present. The Duke said, 'Ask every living soul in the world,
if you can succeed in no other way'; this is all the instruction he has
given me; and," added he, with a slight shrug of his shoulders, "I am
almost of Perpignan's opinion, that the search will be a fruitless one."

"Lecoq did not think so."

"He only said that he believed he should succeed if he were to take it
in hand."

"Well," answered Mascarin coldly, "I have been certain of success from
the very commencement."

"Have you been to Vendome?" asked Catenac.

"Never mind, I have been somewhere, and at this very moment could place
my hand upon the shoulder of the heir to the dukedom of Champdoce."

"Are you in earnest?"

"I was never more in earnest in my life. I have found him; only as it is
impossible for me to appear in the matter, I shall delegate to you and
Perpignan the happiness of restoring the lost son to his father's arms."

Catenac glanced from Mascarin to Hortebise, and from them to Paul,