blouse who nearly brought you down this morning." Saint-Quentin staggered as if he had received the charge of shot. "Are you sure?" "Very nearly. He has the same way of walking, dragging his right leg a little." He muttered: "He has recognized me!" "I think so. When he saw you jumping about during the performance it recalled to his mind the black devil performing acrobatic feats against the face of the cliff. And it was only a step from you to me who shoved the slab over on to his head. I read it all in his eyes and his attitude towards me this afternoon--just in his manner of speaking to me. There was a touch of mockery in it." Saint-Quentin lost his temper: "And we aren't hurrying off at once! You dare stay?" "I dare." "But that man?" "He doesn't know that I penetrated his disguise.... And as long as he doesn't know----" "You mean that your intention is?" "Perfectly simple--to tell them their fortunes, amuse them, and puzzle them." "But what's your object?" "I want to make them talk in their turn." "What about?" "What I want to know." "What do you want to know?" "That's what I don't know. It's for them to teach me." "And suppose they discover the robbery? Suppose they cross-examine us?" "Saint-Quentin, take the Captain's wooden gun, mount guard in front of the caravan, and when the policemen approach, shoot them down." When she had made herself tidy, she took Saint-Quentin with her to the château and on the way made him repeat all the details of his nocturnal expedition. Behind them came Castor and Pollux, then the Captain, who dragged after him by a string a little toy cart loaded with tiny packages.

They entertained them in the large drawing-room of the château. The Countess, who indeed was, as Dorothy had said, an agreeable and amiable woman, and of a seductive prettiness, stuffed the children with dainties, and was wholly charming to the young girl. For her part, Dorothy seemed quite as much at her ease with her hosts as she had been on the top of the caravan. She had merely hidden her short skirt and bodice under a large black shawl, drawn in at the waist by a belt. The ease of her manner, her cultivated intonation, her correct speech, to which now and then a slang word gave a certain spiciness, her quickness, and the intelligent expression of her brilliant eyes amazed the Countess and charmed the three men. "Mademoiselle," d'Estreicher exclaimed, "if you can foretell the future, I can assure you that I too can clearly foresee it, and that certain fortune awaits you. Ah, if you would put yourself in my hands and let me direct your career in Paris! I am in touch with all the worlds and I can guarantee your success." She tossed her head: "I don't need anyone." "Mademoiselle," said he, "confess 

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