Part 21 (1/2)

He was out of the office and about to descend the stairs when a thought struck me

”Where and how can I communicate with M Jean Duval,” I asked, ”when my work is done?”

”I will call here,” he replied, ”at ten o'clock of everythat follows a performance of _Le Reve_ We can complete our transaction then across your office desk”

The next one Theodore passed him on the stairs and asked me, with one of his iht expect froed ue pro out if Madauards than Monsieur the husband cares about”

Theodore sniffed He always sniffs when financialon account?” he queried

”A paltry ten francs,” I replied, ”and I ive you your share of it now”

I tossed a franc to him across the desk By the terms of my contract with him, you understand, he was entitled to ten per cent, of every profit accruing froes, but in this instance do you not think that I was justified in looking on one franc now, and perhaps twenty when the transaction was completed, as a more than just honorariu all the risks in this delicate business? Would it be fair forquietly in the office or sipping absinthe at a neighbouring bar whilst I risked New Orleans--not to speak of the gallows?

He gave e look as he picked up the silver franc, spat on it for luck, bit it with his great yellow teeth to ascertain if it were counterfeit or genuine, and finally slipped it into his pocket, and shuffled out of the office whistling through his teeth

An abominably low, deceitful creature, that Theodore, you will see anon But I won't anticipate

2

The next perfor, and I started on ine, it did not prove an easy e-door to the back of the theatre was one thing--a franc to the doorkeeper had done the trick--to le with the scene-shi+fters, to talk with the supers, to take off my hat with every form of deep respect to the principals had been equally si a bouquet on the dressing-table of the great tragedienne on -roo that memorable fourth act which was to see the consu brought it expressly for that purpose I pushed open the door, and founddaht be

In order to miniuise of a liche--red side-whiskers, florid coidly over the ears towards the teh stock collar, nankeen pantaloons, a patch over one eye and an eyeglass fixed in the other My own sainteddiffidence I explained in broken French that h respectful admiration of Mlle Mars had promptedh at thequite entleime

Then she took the bouquet fro-table

I fancied that she smiled, not unkindly, and I ventured to pass the tily She sat down by the dressing-table and took up some needlehich she had obviously thrown aside on my arrival Close by, on the floor, was a solid iron chest with huge ornae escutcheon over the lock It stood about a foot high and perhaps a couple of feet long

There was nothing else in the rooested a receptacle for jewellery; this, therefore, was obviously the safe which contained the bracelet At the self-sa key which lay upon the dressing-table, and my hand at once wandered instinctively to the pocket of my coat and closed convulsively on the duplicate one which the soi-disant Jean Duval had given me

I talked eloquently for a while The damsel answered in monosyllables, but she sat unmoved at needlework, and after ten minutes or so I was forced to beat a retreat

I returned to the charge at the next performance of _Le Reve_, this time with a box of bonbons for the maid instead of the bouquet for the mistress The damsel was quite a that I should dally in her company She munched the bonbons and coquetted a little with me But she went on stolidly with her needlework, and I could see that nothing would move her out of that rooe

Then I bethought me of Theodore I realised that I could not carry this affair through successfully without his help So I gave him a further five francs--as I said to his--and I assured him that a certain M Jean Duval had promised me a couple of hundred francs when the business which he had entrusted to me was satisfactorily concluded It was for this business--so I explained--that I required his help, and he seemed quite satisfied

His task was, of course, a very easy one What a contrast to the risk I was about to run! Twenty-five francs,at the door of Mlle Mars' dressing-rooed in conversation with the attractive guardian of the iron safe, and to say in well-assumed, breathless tones:

”Madee