ished secret ... her love. In a moment she burst into
sobs and collapsed on the sofa.

The Marquis de Serac very gently tried to reassure her.

"Don't cry, my poor child. After all, you are lamenting imaginary
misfortunes which I have so imprudently imagined.... They don't exist,
and never could exist, for it is a fact that Susy d'Orsel is no longer a
rival to be feared. Think rather of the future which smiles upon you.
You love and you have some reason to hope that you are loved in return,
so dry your eyes ... fate has withdrawn the one obstacle which existed
between you and the King."

Tremblingly, Marie Pascal rose.

"Forgive me, Monsieur, for this stupid scene. I lost my self ...
control.... I confessed a feeling which I should have kept a secret....
I'm so confused I no longer know what I'm saying ... so please let me
go."

The Marquis, with exquisite politeness, opened the door for her.

"Promise to come and see me again, Mademoiselle; before long I shall
probably have something further of interest to say to you."

When the door had closed upon Marie Pascal, the Marquis drew aside the
portieres.

"Come out, my dear fellow.... We shall be alone now!"

Wulf appeared. A Wulf literally armed to the teeth, and ready for any
emergency.

"Put up your arsenal, we are in no danger," exclaimed the Marquis, "and
tell me what you think of the visit."

"I think there is not a moment to lose," replied Wulf, agitated. "She
loves the King and she hated Susy d'Orsel, therefore she is the
assassin. She is the cause of all the troubles that have fallen upon the
head of our beloved sovereign. Ah! I want to arrest her! Condemn her to
death! Come, Marquis, let us go to her room and seize her!"

"Not yet a while, Wulf; sit down and talk it over. To begin with, we can
arrest nobody without proof ... presumption is not sufficient."

"I'll force her to confess!"

"You wouldn't succeed, Wulf, and besides, you have no power to arrest
her yourself. That is work for the French authorities. Your duty is
simply to go and warn Juve."

"Right away! At once!"

"Hold on ... remember, you are to do nothing without my permission. Now,
I repeat, we have no proof yet to offer ... but listen carefully, for I
have a plan ... this is it...."

Two hours later, Wulf rejoined Fandor in a boulevard cafe. The
excellent man had such an air of elation that the journalist wondered:

"What fool thing is this idiot getting ready to do now!"