“Yes, and a heap besides. Just you listen. After her breakfast, my sweet Carry began to play cards with some chaps who had been grubbing at the next table. ‘Regular right down card sharpers and macemen,’ said I to myself, as I watched the way in which they faked the pasteboards. ‘They’ll get everything out of you, old gal.’ I was in the right, for in less than an hour she had to go up to the counter and leave one of her rings as security for the breakfast. He said he knew her, and would give her credit. ‘You are a trump,’ said she. ‘I’ll just trot off to my own crib and get the money.’” “Did she go home?” “Not she; she went to a real swell house in a bang up part of Paris, the Rue de Varennes. She knocked at the door, and in she went, while I lounged about outside.” “Do you know who lives there?” “Of course I do. The grocer round the corner told me that it was inhabited by the Duke--what was his blessed name? Oh, the Duke----” “Was it the Duke de Champdoce?” “That is the right one, a chap they say as has his cellars chock full of gold and silver.” “You are rather slow, my lad,” said Tantaine, with his assumed air of indifference. “Get on a bit, do.” Toto was much put out; for he had expected that his intelligence would have created an immense sensation. “Give a cove time to breathe in. Well, in half an hour out comes my Carry as lively as a flea. She got into a passing cab and away she went. Fortunately I can run a bit, and reached the Palais Royal in time to see Caroline change two notes of two hundred francs each at the money-changers.” “How did you find out that?” “By looking at ‘em. The paper was yellow.” Tantaine smiled kindly. “You know a banknote then?” “Yes, but I have precious few chances of handling them. Once I went into a money-changer’s shop and asked them just to let me feel one, and they said, ‘Get out sharp.’” “Is that all?” demanded Tantaine. “No; I have kept the best bit for a finish. I want to tell you that there are others on the lookout after Caroline.” Toto had no reason this time to grumble at the effect he had produced, for the old man gave such a jump that his hat fell off. “What are you saying?” said he. “Simply that for the last three days a big chap with a harp on his back has been keeping her in view. I twigged him at once, and he too saw her go into the swell crib that you say belongs to that Duke.” Tantaine pondered a little. “A street musician,” muttered he. “I must find out all about this. Now, Toto, listen to me; chuck Caroline over, and stick to the fellow with the harp; be off with you, for you have earned your money well.” As Chupin went off, the old man shook his head. “Too sharp by a good bit,” said he; “he won’t have a long lease of life.” Beaumarchef was about to ask Tantaine to remain in the office while he went off to put on his best clothes, but the old man stopped this request by saying,--