them appeared; and Andre found himself walking
down the boulevard between a couple, while his late antagonist followed
in the safe custody of two more. To have attempted any resistance would
have been utter folly, and the young man resigned himself to what he
felt he could not help. But as he went on, he reflected on the strange
scene through which he had just passed. All had gone on so rapidly that
he could hardly recall the events to his memory. He was, however, quite
sure that this unprovoked assault concealed some motive with which at
present he was unacquainted.

The police led their prisoners through the doorway of a dingy-looking
old house, and then Andre saw that he was not at the regular
police-station. The whole party entered an office, where a
superintendent and two clerks were at work. The ruffian who had
assaulted Andre changed his manner directly he entered the office; he
threw his tattered cap upon a bench, passed his fingers through his
hair, and shook hands with the superintendent; he then turned to Andre.

"Permit me, sir," said he, "to compliment you on being so handy with
your fists. You precious nearly did for me, I can tell you."

At that moment a door opened at the other end of the room, and a voice
was heard to say, "Send them in."

Andre and his late antagonist soon found themselves in an office
evidently sacred to some one high up in the police. At a desk near the
window was seated a man, with a rather distinguished air, wearing a
white necktie and a pair of gold glasses.

"Have the goodness to take a seat," said this gentleman, addressing
Andre with the most perfect urbanity.

He took a chair, half stupefied by the strangeness of the whole affair,
and waited. Could he be awake, or was he dreaming? He could hardly tell.

"Before I say anything," remarked the gentleman in the gold spectacles,
"I ought to apologize for a proceeding which is--well, what shall I call
it?--a little rough, perhaps; but it was necessary to make use of it to
obtain this interview with you. Really, however, I had no choice. You
are closely watched, and I did not wish the persons who had set spies on
you to have any knowledge of this conference."

"Do you say I am watched?" stammered Andre.

"Yes, by a certain La Candele, as sharp a fellow at that kind of work as
you could find in Paris. Are you surprised at this?"

"Yes, for I had thought----"

The gentleman's features softened into a benevolent smile.

"