he said. "That's why, being at
least as interested as yourself in not losing every thing, I beg of
you to indulge in no violent proceedings."

There was no need of further speaking.

The door which the servant was guarding flew open. A clerk appeared,
and made sign that he wished to speak.

"Gentlemen," he began, "M. de Thaller has just come; but he is just
now engaged with the examining judge."

Shouts having drowned his voice, he withdrew precipitately.

"If the law gets its finger in," murmured the discreet gentleman,
"good-by!"

"That's a fact," said another. "But we will have the precious
advantage of hearing that dear baron condemned to one year's
imprisonment, and a fine of fifty francs. That's the regular rate.
He wouldn't get off so cheap, if he had stolen a loaf of bread from
a baker."

"Do you believe that story about the judge?" interrupted rudely the
big man.

They had to believe it, when they saw him appear, followed by a
commissary of police and a porter, carrying on his back a load of
books and papers. They stood aside to let them pass; but there was
no time to make any comments, as another clerk appeared immediately
who said,

"M. de Thaller is at your command, gentlemen. Please walk in."

There was then a terrible jamming and pushing to see who would get
first into the directors' room, which stood wide open.

M. de Thaller was standing against the mantel-piece, neither paler
nor more excited than usual, but like a man who feels sure of
himself and of his means of action. As soon as silence was restored,

"First of all, gentlemen," he began, "I must tell you that the board
of directors is about to meet, and that a general meeting of the
stockholders will be called."

Not a murmur. As at the touch of a magician's wand, the dispositions
of the shareholders seemed to have changed.

"I have nothing new to inform you of," he went on. "What happened
is a misfortune, but not a disaster. The thing to do was to save
the company; and I had first thought of calling for funds."

"Well," said two or three timid voices, "If it was absolutely
necessary--"

"But there is no need of it."

"Ah, ah!"

"And I can manage to carry every thing through by adding to our
reserve fund my own personal fortune."

This time the hurrahs and the bravos drowned the voice.

M. de Thaller received them like a man who deserves them, and,
more slowly,

"Honor commanded it," he continued. "I confess