wig of white hair
was quickly replaced by another--this time a woman's wig. With the
agility of a Fregoli he then got into a skirt and waist.

Forty seconds after the departure of Wulf the Marquis de Serac had
become ... Madame Ceiron, the concierge.

Three or four pencil marks and his disguise was complete. It would be
impossible for anybody not having seen this transformation to guess that
the Marquis de Serac and old Madame Ceiron were one and the same
individual.

After a quick glance into his mirror he rushed across his drawing-room,
through the hall, and quickly opened a large Breton wardrobe. Through
the centre of this rose a post which he seized and slid down. It was the
same contrivance used by firemen to join their engines when a call was
sent in. At the foot of the post in Madame Ceiron's apartment were
stretched two mattresses to deaden the fall. These were placed in a
small storeroom, well hidden from observation. After closing the door
behind her, Madame Ceiron rushed to the hall in time to intercept Wulf
on his way downstairs.

"You are looking for some one?" she asked.

"No, Madame, I have just come from the Marquis de Serac's apartment."

After Wulf had disappeared Madame Ceiron returned to her office and was
about to enter when a voice called:

"Here I am, Madame Ceiron. I found your note under my door. Is there
anything I can do for you?"

"Ah, it's you, my child. You are very kind to have come, and there is
something that you can do for me. I want to know if you will come
upstairs to Susy d'Orsel's room with me."

"What on earth for?"

"Well, I'll tell you. It's this way: I am scared to go up there all
alone."

Marie Pascal smiled.

"Of course it is rather appalling, but why do you go there, Madame
Ceiron?"

"Well, you see, the police have put their seals over everything and I am
paid one franc a day to see that nobody enters the apartment and breaks
them. I have to take a look around from time to time, so won't you come
with me?"

"Certainly, Madame Ceiron."

Marie Pascal and the concierge went up together and began a careful
examination of the poor girl's rooms. While the young girl was looking
curiously around Madame Ceiron entered the boudoir. She crossed to the
chimney and pulled out a small casket, which was hidden behind a blue
curtain. She opened it quickly and inspected the contents.

"Jewels! Which would be the best to take? Ah, this ring and this
bracelet ... and th