ce some of his writing in an old copy book. But after all the old
woman, with a tear in her eye, will say that she found the lad had
not much gratitude in his composition, for at the end of the following
September he left the farm where he had received so much kindness. Yes,
he left them to go away with some strolling performers. You will be
absolutely affected by the words of these worthy people, and before you
leave they will show you the clothes the lad left behind him."

Catenac was waiting for the conclusion, and then exclaimed, in rather a
disappointed tone,--

"But I do not see what we have gained when Lorgelin's story has been
repeated to us."

Mascarin raised his hand, as though to deprecate immediate criticism,
and to ask for further patience on the part of his audience.

"Permit me to go on," said he. "You would now not know what to do, but
Perpignan will not hesitate for a moment. He will tell you that he holds
the end of the clue, and that all that remains to be done is to follow
it up carefully."

"I think that you overrate Perpignan's talents."

"Not a bit; each man to his own line of business. Besides, if he wanders
off the course, you must get him back to it. In this you must act
diplomatically. His first move will naturally be to take you to the
office of the mayor of the township, where a register of licenses is
kept. There you will find that in September, 1857, there passed through
the place a troupe of travelling performers, consisting of nine persons,
with the caravans, under the management of a man known as Vigoureux,
nicknamed the Grasshopper."

Catenac rapidly jotted down these items. "Not so fast," said he; "I
cannot follow you."

After a short pause, Mascarin continued.

"An attentive examination of the book will prove to you that no other
troupe of itinerant performers passed through the place during that
month; and it is clear that it must have been the Grasshopper with
whom the lad went away. You will then peruse the man's description.
Vigoureux, born at Bourgogne, Vosges. Age, forty-seven. Height, six feet
two inches. Eyes, small and gray, rather near-sighted. Complexion dark.
Third finger of left hand cut off at first joint. If you confound him,
after reading this, with any other man of his profession, you must
certainly be rather foolish."

"I shall now be able to find him," muttered Catenac.

"But that is Perpignan's business. You will see him put on an air of
the greatest