up an acquaintance with
Pierre Lenoir, chiefly on account of the latter's proficiency in the
English language.

There is little to be said concerning Markby's past history, for
reasons which will presently be apparent.

What further reason he may have had for cultivating the friendship of
the rover, Pierre Lenoir, will probably show itself in due course.

* * * *

"I have disposed of that last batch of five-franc pieces," said Markby.
"Here are the proceeds."

"Keep it back," exclaimed Lenoir hurriedly.

"What for?"

"It is sheer madness for us to be seen conversing together," replied
Lenoir, casting an anxious glance about him from behind his hat, which
he held in his hand so as to shield his features, "much less to be seen
exchanging money--why, it is suicidal--nothing less."

"Is there any danger, do you think?"

"Do I think? Do I know? Why, this place is literally alive with
spies--_mouchards_ as we called them here. Every second man you meet
is a _mouchard_."

"Do you mean it?"

"Rather."

"That's not a pleasant thing to know," said Markby.

"I don't agree with you there," replied Lenoir. "'Forewarned,
forearmed,' is a proverb in your language. But now tell me about this
friend and countryman of yours."

"He's no friend of mine," returned Markby. "I know him as a great
traveller, and one who has opportunities of placing more false----"

"Hush, imprudent!" interrupted Lenoir. "Call it stock. You know not how
many French spies may be passing, or how near we may be to danger."

Markby took the hint given him, and continued--

"Well, stock. He can place more--he has probably placed more than any
man alive. He travels about _en grand seigneur_--lords it in high places
and disposes of the counterf----"

"Stock."

"Stock, in regular loads. But he's as wary as a fox--nothing can
approach him in cunning."

"The very man I want," exclaimed Lenoir. "This fellow could, with my
aid, make a fortune for himself and me in less than a year--a large
fortune."

"You are very sanguine," said Markby, with a smile.

"I am, but not over sanguine. I speak by the book, for I know well what
I am talking of. You must introduce me."

"You are running on wildly," said Markby. "Did I not tell you that he
did not know me--that he would not know me if he did? So careful is he
that his own brother would fail to draw any thing from him concerning
the way in which he gets h