ted the return of the young painter.
As soon as he saw him descending the steps he sprang forward to greet
him.

"Well," said he, in a tone of eager inquiry.

"Your father," returned Andre, "is terribly angry with you, but I hope
to be able to induce him to do something for you."

"Will he set Zora at liberty?"

"Perhaps he will; but first he must have something more from you than
promises--he must have stable guarantees."

At these words Gaston's face fell. "Guarantees," answered he sulkily.
"Is not my word of honor enough? What sort of guarantees does he
require?"

"That I cannot tell you, and you must find out for yourself; but I will
do all I can for you."

Gaston gazed upon Andre in surprise.

"Do you mean to tell me," asked he, "that you can do pretty well what
you like with the governor?"

"Not exactly; but surely you can see that I have a good deal of
influence over him. If you want a proof of this, see, here is the money
to take up these bills you told me of."

"What, Verminet's?"

"I suppose so. I am speaking of those to which you were mad enough to
forge another man's name."

Foolish as the boy was, this act of his had caused him many a sleepless
night, and he had reflected very often how he could possibly escape from
the consequence of his act of rashness.

"Give me the money," cried he.

Andre shook his head, however. "Forgive me," said he, "but this money
does not quit my hand until the bills are handed over to me. Your
father's orders on this point are decided; but the sooner we settle the
affair the better."

"That is too bad; the governor is as sly as a fox; but he must have his
own way, I suppose, so come on. Only just wait till I slip on a coat
more suitable to my position than this lounging suit."

He rushed away, and was back again in ten minutes as neat as a new pin,
and full of gayety and good spirits.

"We can walk," said he, putting his arm through Andre's. "We have to go
to the Rue St. Anne."

Verminet had his office in this street--the office of the Mutual Loan
Society, of which he was the managing director. The house, in spite of
its grandiloquent title, was of excessively shabby exterior. The Mutual
Loan Society was frequented by those who, having lost their credit,
wished to obtain a fresh amount, and who, having no money, wanted to
borrow some.

Verminet's plan of financial operations was perfectly simple. A
tradesman on the verge of bankruptcy would come to him,