The Secret Tomb
crowd an enormous bag in which were engulfed pennies and dirty notes; and from the top of the caravan Dorothy delivered her farewell address: "Very many thanks, agriculturists and towns-people! It is with regret that we leave this generous locality. But before we depart we take this opportunity of informing you that Mademoiselle Dorothy (she saluted) is not only the directress of a circus and a first-class performer. Mademoiselle Dorothy (she saluted) will also demonstrate her extraordinary excellence in the sphere of clairvoyance and psychic powers. The lines of the hand, the cards, coffee grounds, handwriting, and astrology have no secrets for her. She dissipates the darkness. She solves enigmas. With her magic ring she makes invisible springs burst forth, and above all, she discovers in the most unfathomable places, under the stones of old castles, and in the depths of forgotten dungeons, fantastic treasures whose existence no one suspected. A word to the wise is enough. I have the honor to thank you."

She descended quickly. The three boys were packing up the properties. Saint-Quentin came to her. "We hook it, don't we, straight away? Those policemen have kept an eye on me the whole time." She replied: "Then you didn't hear the end of my speech?" "What about it?" "What about it? Why, the consultations are going to begin--the superlucid clairvoyant Dorothy. Look, I here come some clients ... the bearded nobleman and the gentleman in velveteen ... I like the gentleman in velveteen. He is very polite; and there's no side about his fawn-colored gaiters--the complete gentleman-farmer."

The bearded nobleman was beside himself. He loaded the young girl with extravagant compliments, looking at her the while in an uncommonly equivocal fashion. He introduced himself as "Maxime d'Estreicher," introduced his companion as "Raoul Davernoie," and finally, on behalf of the Countess Octave, invited her to come to tea in the château. "Alone?" she asked. "Certainly not," protested Raoul Davernoie with a courteous bow. "Our cousin is anxious to congratulate all your comrades. Will you come, mademoiselle?" Dorothy accepted. Just a moment to change her frock, and she would come to the château. "No, no; no toilet!" cried d'Estreicher. "Come as you are.... You look perfectly charming in that slightly scanty costume. How pretty you are like that!" Dorothy flushed and said dryly: "No compliments, please." "It isn't a compliment, mademoiselle," he said a trifle ironically. "It's the natural homage one pays to beauty." He went off, taking Raoul Davernoie with him. "Saint-Quentin," murmured Dorothy, looking after them. "Keep an eye on that gentleman." "Why?" "He's the man in the 
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