erlay had also serious apprehensions for the
safety of a man for whom he entertained so great a respect and regard.

"I would lay a heavy wager," said he, "that we have to do with some
villainous blackmailers, and the difficulty of the business is, that
we must do the work ourselves, for we dare not invite the aid of the
police. We have no proof to offer, and the police will not stir a foot
on mere suppositions, and we should not earn the thanks of those we are
desirous of assisting if we called the attention of the law to certain
acts in their past lives; for who can say what the terrible secret is,
that some vile wretch holds over the heads of M. and Madame de Mussidan?
And it is quite on the cards that the Count and the Countess might be
compelled to join the blackmailers and oppose us. We must act with the
greatest prudence and caution. Remember, that if you are out at night,
you must avoid dark corners, for it would be the easiest thing in the
world to put a knife into your back."

The conclusion that was arrived at, at this interview, was that for
the present Andre and De Breulh should cease to see each other so
frequently. They felt convinced that a watch had been set on them, and
that their intimacy would certainly be notified to De Croisenois; and of
course they had every desire to cause him to imagine that they were
not acting in any way together. The arrangement, therefore, that they
entered into was that each should act from his own point of vantage
against Henri de Croisenois, and that when necessary they should meet
in the evening to compare notes in a small _cafe_ in the Champs Elysees,
not far from the house in which Andre was at work.

His courage was still as high as ever, but the first symptoms of
rashness had vanished. He was a born diplomatist, and fully realized
that cunning and treachery must be met by similar weapons. He must not
break his engagement to M. Gandelu; but how could he superintend the
workmen and keep an eye on Croisenois at the same time? Money was
absolutely necessary, and yet he felt a strange disinclination to accept
a loan from M. de Breulh. If he were to throw up his work, it would
naturally create suspicion.

M. Gandelu had a shrewd head, and Andre, remembering the old man's
kindness to him on all occasions, determined to confide the matter to
him, and with this object he called on him the next morning as the
clock was striking nine. His surprise was extreme when he saw Gas