Other People's Money

as a bargain she hadcome to propose. It was evident, therefore, that Marius de Tregarsheld within his hands the principal threads of that complicatedintrigue which had just culmina

time to as

d, whilst his servant was bringing in his modest meal,"I am expecting M. d'Escajoul," he said. "Show him in as soo

of everything that tends to make lifepleasant and easy; dines at Bignon's, or the Caf e Anglais; playsbaccarat at the dub with extraordinary luck; has the most comfortableapartment and the most elegant coupe in all Paris. With al

more formidableand more skillful than the rest, who always manage to escape the handof the law. They are not such fools as to operate in person, - notthey! They content themselves with watching their

ndustry which M. d'Escajoulcarries on. Thoroughly master of his ground, possessing a superiorscent and an i

a little too far, he may be sure tosee M. d'Escajoul appear, and ask for some little - a

ery moral, what I am doing."Such is the man who came in, smiling, just as Maxence

eakfast with

wes tohis stomach. But I will accept with pleasure a drop of that oldCognac which you offered me the other evening."He took

that he was referri

quired M.

at canyou say to a man who answers you all the time, 'The matter is inthe hands of the law; experts have been named; I have nothing tofear from the most min

Thaller?' And the reasons I had to wish thatThaller might be swamped: I have them still. He trifled with me,he 'sold' me, and he must suffer for it; for, if it came to be knownthat I could be taken in with impunity, it would be all over with mycredit."After a moment of silence,"Do you believe, then," asked M. de Tregars, "that M. de Thaller isinnocent?""Perhaps.""That would be curious.""Or else his measures are so well taken

e was in collusion with M. de Thaller, he wouldnot speak.""Of course.""That bein

se.""Why so? We don't know what may happen. Keep quiet, be patient;I am

I have," said M. de Tregars;

ad resumed all

understood," he said,

touched, - "Pouah! " he said with a look of thoroughdisgust, - "pouch!"And noticing Maxence's look of utter surprise,"Don't you understand," he said, "that this old rascal has been sentto me by Thaller to feel my intentions, and m

for a carriag

t the do

imate himself. Perfectlyconvinced that he could accomplish nothing

nd, to ask an audience of the judge whohas your father's case in charge, and deposit into his hands thefifteen thousand francs you have in your pocket.""What! You wish me to -""I think it better to place that money into the hands of justice,which will appreciate the step, than into those of M. de Thaller,who would not

anchel?" inquire

office." rep

will go in alone," said M. de Tregars to Maxence. "I shallnot appear; and it is important that my name should not even bepronounced. But, above

, with a low ceiling, and poorly furnished. Thefaded curtains and threadbare carpet showed plainly that more thanone judge had occupied it, and that legions of accused criminalshad passed through it. In front

judge rose, and, after measurin

ou?" he in

oice, Maxence stated

ery day; but, since you are here, somuch the better. You have something important to communicate, Ihave been told."Very few people, even among the most stri

he answered,"On Saturday evening, the Baron de Thaller called at our house afew minutes before the commissary. After loading my father

the moment of parting,he recommended to me

own to you of the money having beenoffered and refused."M. Barban d'Avranchel was

gainst the manager of the

in a tone which affirmedprecisely the

hat's whyhe wished his cashier to start for Belgium. This system ofhelping criminals to escape the just punishment of their crimes isto be bitterly deplored; but it is quite the habit of your financialmagnates, who prefer sending some poor devil of

ire agreat deal of money to reach the frontier, escape pursuit, and hidehimself abroad; and, if he refused the fifteen thousand francs, itmust have been because he was well provided for al

y not mention his sus

ense sums.""We knew nothing of it, sir; and our first suspicions were arousedby what the commissary of police told us."The judge insisted no more; and in a to

""None in the least."M. d'Avranchel had already resumed

I need you."Maxence felt much discouraged when he

of M. de Thaller's ent

all that had just occurred,"Nothing is lost yet," declared M. de Tregars. A

," he said, "we shall know