"No, monsieur; very seldom." 

"Did he come last night?" 

"No, monsieur, I am very certain he did not; for I was kept awake nearly all night by the strong coffee I had drunk with the valet." 

"That will do; you can retire," said the commissary. 

When Anselme had left the room, Fanferlot resumed his search. He opened the door of the private staircase. "Where do these stairs lead to?" he asked. 

"To my private office," replied M. Fauvel. 

"Is not that the room whither I was conducted when I first came?" inquired the commissary. 

"The same." 

"I would like to see it," said Fanferlot, "and examine the entrances to it." 

"Nothing is more easy," said M. Fauvel, eagerly; "follow me, gentlemen, and you come too, Prosper." 

M. Fauvel's private office consisted of two rooms; the waiting-room, sumptuously furnished and beautifully decorated, and the study where he transacted business. The furniture in this room was composed of a large office-desk, several leather-covered chairs, and, on either side of the fireplace, a secretary and a book-shelf. These two rooms had only three doors; one opened on the private stairway, another into the banker's bedroom, and the third into the main vestibule. It was through this last door that the banker's clients and visitors were admitted. M. Fanferlot examined the study at a glance. He seemed puzzled, like a man who had flattered himself with the hope of discovering some indication, and had found nothing."Let us see the adjoining room," he said. 
He passed into the waiting-room, followed by the banker and the commissary of police. Prosper remained alone in the study. Despite the disordered state of his mind, he could not but perceive that his situation was momentarily becoming more serious. He had demanded and accepted the contest with his chief; the struggle had commenced; and now it no longer depended upon his own will to arrest the consequences of his action. They were about to engage in a bitter conflict, utilizing all weapons, until one of the two should succumb, the loss of honor being the cost of defeat. In the eyes of justice, who would be the 

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