gin the trouble, and brought the money himself.
After a while, when M. Elgin took it into his head to try some small
speculations on 'change, M. Malgat offered him his assistance, although
they never had any luck, in fact."

By this time Miss Brandon had found the papers she was looking for. She
handed them to Daniel, saying,--

"And, if you do not believe what I say, look at this."

There were a dozen square bits of paper, on which Malgat had reported
the result of his operations on 'change, which he carried on on account
of, and with the money of, M. Elgin. All ended with these words:--

"We have lost considerably; but we may be more fortunate next time.
There is a capital chance on such and such funds; send me all the money
you can spare."

The words were always the same; the name of the funds alone varied in
each.

"That is strange," said Daniel.

Miss Sarah shook her head.

"Strange? Yes, indeed!" she replied. "But it does not help me in any
way. This letter, however, will tell you more. Read it, sir, and read it
aloud."

Daniel took the letter, and read,--

"'Paris, Dec. 5, 1865.

"'M. Thomas Elgin. _Dear Sir_,--It is to you alone, the most honorable
among men, that I can make the terrible confession that I have committed
a crime.

"'I am wretched. Employed by you in your speculations, I have given way
to temptation, and have speculated on my own account. One loss brought
about another, I lost my head; I hoped to recover my money; and now, at
this hour, I owe more than ten thousand dollars, which I have taken from
the safe of the society.

"'Will you have pity on me? Will you be so generous as to lend me that
sum? I may not be able to return it in less than six or seven years; but
I will repay you, I swear it, with interest.

"'I await your answer, like a criminal, who waits for the verdict. It
is a matter of life and death with me; and as you decide, so I may be
saved, or disgraced forever. A. Malgat.'"

On the margin, methodical M. Elgin had written in his angular
handwriting,--

"Answered immediately. Sent to M. M. ten thousand dollars, to be drawn
from funds deposited with the Mutual Discount Society. No interest to be
paid."

"And that," stammered Daniel, "that is the man"--

"Whom they charge me with having turned aside from the paths of honesty;
yes, sir! Now you learn to know him. But wait. You see, he was saved. It
was not long before he appeared here, his false face bathed in