out knowing what has become of
them? Can you give me no hint or clue to their residence? Does nobody,
nobody know where they are?"

"Nobody," replied the notary. "The evening after their sale De Vlierbeck
left Grinselhof on foot and crossed the moor by some unknown road: I
made efforts to discover his retreat, but always without success."

As this sad news was imparted to Gustave he grew deadly pale, trembled
violently, and covered his forehead with his clasped hands, as if
striving to conceal the big tears that ran from his eyes. What the
notary first told him of De Vlierbeck's misfortunes had wounded his
sensibility, though he was less struck by that recital, because he had
already become partially aware of the poor gentleman's embarrassment;
but the certainty that he could not _immediately_ discover his beloved
Lenora and snatch her from want overwhelmed him with the bitterest
anguish.

The notary fixed his eyes on the young man, shrugged his shoulders, and
regarded him with an expression of pity.

"You are young, sir," said he, "and, like most men at your time of life,
exaggerate both pain and pleasure. Your despair is unfounded; for it is
easy in our time to discover people whom we want to find. With a little
money and diligence we may be sure, in a few days, to discover Monsieur
De Vlierbeck's retreat, even if he has gone abroad to a foreign country.
If you are willing to charge me with the pursuit I will spare neither
time nor trouble to bring you satisfactory news."

Gustave stared hopefully at the notary as he grasped his hand and
replied, with a smile of gratitude,--

"Oh, render me that inestimable service, sir! Spare no money; ransack
heaven and earth if it is necessary; but, in God's name, let me know,
and let me know _soon_, where De Vlierbeck and his daughter are hidden.
It is impossible for me to describe the sufferings of my heart or the
ardor of my desire to find them. Let me assure you that the first good
news you bring will be more grateful to my soul than if you had restored
me to life."

"Fear nothing, sir," answered the notary. "My clerks shall write letters
of inquiry this very night in every direction. To-morrow morning early I
will be off to Brussels and secure assistance from the public offices.
If you authorize me to spare no expense the secret will disclose
itself."

"And I," said Gustave,--"I will put the numerous correspondents of our
house under contribution, and nothing shall b