Volume II Part 20 (1/2)

”'H'm, we must ask her How much do you intend to spend?'

”'Twenty francs'

”'Good,' I said, 'I will ask her,' and here I am”

Louison had allowed Robeckal to finish TheTwenty francs! For the young girl the sum was a sht of the ee_ with it

”Did not Monsieur Aube give you a letter for

”No, mademoiselle Do you mistrust me?”

”I did not say that, but I cannot decide so hastily I will be at the Golden Calf in a little while, and give the gentleman my answer”

”Madeo, and I will get the man without arms, ill do just as well He won't refuse, I warrant you”

With these words, Robeckal took out a card and pointed to two addresses thereon The first was Louison's address, the second that of a street-singer ell known to the young girl Louison no longer doubted

”I shall come,” she said firht o'clock”

”And ill I be done?”

A peculiar smile, unnoticed by Louison, played about Robeckal's lips

”I really do not know,” he finally replied, ”but it will be between ten and eleven With such good pay a minute more or less won't make much difference”

”No, but it ht”

”On no account, mademoiselle; if you are afraid, why, I will see you hoallantly cried

”Good--tell Monsieur Aube I shall be punctual”

”Done I suppose, ive me a portion of the twenty francs? I was the one, you knoho brought it about”

”With pleasure”

”Then good-by until this evening”

Robeckal hurried down the five flights of stairs In front of the house a man enveloped in a wide mantle walked up and down

When he saw Robeckal, he anxiously asked:

”Well?”