elp me in every possible way."

This Vignol was the friend to whom, at Andre's request, M. Gandelu had
given the superintendence of the works at his new house in the Champs
Elysees.

"I shall," continued he, "by this means escape entirely from De
Croisenois and his emissaries, and can watch their game without their
having any suspicion of my doing so. For the time being, of course, I
must give up seeing those who have been helping me,--De Breulh, Gandelu,
Madame de Bois Arden, and M. de Mussidan; that, however, cannot be
avoided. I can use the post, and by it will inform them all of the step
that I have taken."

It was dark before he had finished his letters, and, of course, it was
too late to try anything that day; consequently he went out, posted his
letters, and dined at the nearest restaurant.

On his return home, he proceeded to arrange his disguise. He had it
ready, among his clothes: a blue blouse, a pair of check trousers,
well-worn shoes, and a shabby cap, were all that he required, and he
then applied himself to the task of altering his face. He first shaved
off his beard. Then he twisted down two locks of hair, which he managed
to make rest on his forehead. Then he commenced applying some coloring
to his face with a paint-brush; but this he found to be an extremely
difficult business, and it was not for a long while that he was
satisfied with the results that he had produced. He then knotted an old
handkerchief round his neck, and clapped his cap on one side, with the
peak slanting over one eye. Then he took a last glance in the glass,
and felt that he had rendered himself absolutely unrecognizable. He was
about to impart a few finishing touches, when a knock came at his door.
He was not expecting any one at such an hour, nine o'clock; for the
waiters from the restaurant had already removed the remains of the
feast.

"Who is there?" cried he.

"It is I," replied a weak voice; "I, Gaston de Gandelu."

Andre decided that he had no cause to distrust the lad, and so he opened
his door.

"Has M. Andre gone out?" asked the poor boy faintly. "I though I heard
his voice."

Gaston had not penetrated his disguise, and this was Andre's first
triumph; but he saw now that he must alter his voice, as well as his
face.

"Don't you know me?" asked he.

It was evident that young Gaston had received some terrible shock; for
it could not have been the quarrel in the morning that had reduced him
to this abject st