Part 38 (1/2)

Why was it that Verminet had suggested Rigal's signature as the one he ought to imitate? And why had he handed the bills over to Van Klopen?

Was it mere chance that had arranged it all? He did not believe it, but felt sure that some secret tie united them all together, Verminet, Van Klopen, Rigal, and the Marquis de Croisenois.

”Do you want anything more?” asked the manager of the Mutual Loan Society.

”Are the bills in Van Klopen's hands?”

”I can't say.”

”Never mind, he will have to tell me where they are, if he has not got them,” returned Andre.

They left the house, and as soon as they were again in the street Andre took his companion's arm, and hurried him off in the direction of the Rue de Grammont.

”I don't want to give this thief, Verminet, time to warn Van Klopen of what has taken place; I had rather fall upon him with the suddenness of an earthquake. Come, let us go to his establishment at once.”

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE VANIs.h.i.+NG BILLS.

Had Andre known a little more of the man he had to deal with, he would have learned that no one could fall like an earthquake upon Van Klopen.

Shut up in the sanctum where he composed the numberless costumes that were the wonder and delight of Paris, Van Klopen made as careful arrangements to secure himself from the interview as the Turk does to guard the approaches to his seraglio; and so Andre and Gandelu were accosted in the entrance hall by his stately footmen, clad in gorgeous liveries, glittering with gold.

”M. van Klopen is of the utmost importance,” a.s.serted Andre.

”Our master is composing.”

Entreaties, threats, and even a bribe of one hundred francs were alike useless; and Andre, seeing that he was about to be checkmated, was half tempted to take the men by the collar and hurl them on one side, but he calmed himself, and, already repenting of his violence at Verminet's, he determined on a course of submission, and so meekly followed the footmen into the famous waiting-room, styled by Van Klopen his purgatory.

The footmen, however, had spoken the truth, for several ladies of the highest rank and standing were awaiting the return of this _arbiter elegantiarum_. All of them turned as the young men entered--all save one, who was gazing out of the window, drawing with her pretty fingers on the window panes. Andre recognized her in an instant as Madame de Bois Arden.

”Is it possible?” thought he. ”Can the Countess have returned here after what has occurred?”

Gaston felt that five charming pairs of eyes were fixed upon him, and studied to a.s.sume his most graceful posture.

After a brief time given to arrangement, Andre grew disgusted.

”I wish that she would look round,” said he to himself. ”I think she would feel rather ashamed. I will say a word to her.”

He rose from his chair, and, without thinking how terribly he might compromise the lady, he took up a position at her side. She was, however, intently watching something that was going on in the street, and did not turn her head.

”Madame,” said he.

She started, and, as she turned and recognized Andre, she uttered a little cry of surprise.

”Great heavens! is that you?”

”Yes, it is I.”

”And here? I dare say that my presence in this place surprises you,” she went on, ”and that I have a short memory, and no feelings of pride.”