or there. Can I count on your assistance?"

"But what the devil does he pretend to be the Count for?"

"Forgive the supposition, but perhaps he imagined that your business
was what mine is. Then he would like to throw you off the scent by
concealing his identity."

"By heaven, and I nearly--!"

"Nearly did what, dear M. de Roustache?" said old Guillaume very
softly. "Nearly dragged in the name of Madame la Comtesse, were you
going to say?"

"How do you know anything--?" began Paul.

"A guess--on my honour a guess! You affect the ladies, eh? Oh, we 're
not such strangers as you think." He spoke in a more imperious tone:
it was almost threatening. "I think you must help me, Monsieur Paul,"
said he.

His familiarity, which was certainly no accident, pointed more
precisely the vague menace of his demand.

But Paul was not too easily frightened.

"All right," said he, "but I must get something out of it, you know."

"On the day I get the papers--by whatever means--you shall receive ten
thousand francs. And I will not interfere with your business. Come,
my proposal is handsome, you must allow."

"Well, tell me what to do."

"You shall write a note, addressed to the Count, telling him you must
see him on a matter which deeply touches his interest and his honour."

"How much do you know?" Paul broke in suspiciously.

"I knew nothing till last night; now I am beginning to know. But
listen. The innkeeper is my friend; he will manage that this note
shall be delivered--not to the Count, but to Dieppe; if any question
arises, he 'll say you described the gentleman beyond mistake, and in
the note you will refer to last night's interview. He won't suspect
that I have undeceived you. Well then, in the note you will make a
rendezvous with him. He will come, either for fun or because he thinks
he can serve his friend--the Count or the Countess, whichever it may
be. If I don't offend your susceptibilities, I should say it was the
Countess. Oh, I am judging only by general probability."

"Supposing he comes--what then?"

"Why, when he comes, I shall be there--visible. And you will be there
invisible--unless cause arises for you also to become visible. But the
details can be settled later. Come, will you write the letter?"

Paul de Roustache thought a moment, nodded, rose, and was about to
follow Guillaume into the inn. But he stopped again and laid a hand on
his new friend's shoulder.

"If your i