At the title of “marquis,” everybody looked up. “I believe you, indeed,” said M. de Tregars. “But what I want to know is, how is the matter progressing?” “The plot is thickening. Justice is acting.” “Indeed!” “It is a fact. Jules Jottras, of the house of Jottras and Brother, was arrested this morning, just as he arrived at the bourse.” “Why?” “Because, it seems, he was an accomplice of Favoral; and it was he who sold the bonds stolen from the Mutual Credit.” Maxence had started at the mention of his father’s name but, with a significant glance, M. de Tregars bid him remain silent, and, in a sarcastic tone, “Famous capture!” he murmured. “And which proves the clear-sightedness of justice.” “But this is not all,” resumed M. Costeclar. “Saint Pavin, the editor of ‘The Financial Pilot,’ you know, is thought to be seriously compromised. There was a rumor, at the close of the market, that a warrant either had been, or was about to be, issued against him.” “And the Baron de Thaller?” The employes of the office could not help admiring M. Costeclar’s extraordinary amount of patience. “The baron,” he replied, “made his appearance at the bourse this afternoon, and was the object of a veritable ovation.” “That is admirable! And what did he say?” “That the damage was already repaired.” “Then the shares of the Mutual Credit must have advanced.” “Unfortunately, not. They did not go above one hundred and ten francs.” “Were you not astonished at that?” “Not much, because, you see, I am a business-man, I am; and I know pretty well how things work. When they left M. de Thaller this morning, the stockholders of the Mutual Credit had a meeting; and they pledged themselves, upon honor, not to sell, so as not to break the market. As soon as they had separated, each one said to himself, ‘Since the others are going to keep their stock, like fools, I am going to sell mine.’ Now, as there were three or four hundred of them who argued the same way, the market was flooded with shares.” Looking the brilliant financier straight in the eyes, “And yourself?” interrupted M. de Tregars. “I!” stammered M. Costeclar, so visibly agitated, that the clerks could not help laughing. “Yes. I wish to know if you have been more faithful to your word than the stockholders of whom you are speaking, and whether you have done as we had agreed.” “Certainly; and, if you find me here--” But M. de Tregars, placing his own hand over his shoulder, stopped him short. “I think I know what brought you here,” he uttered; “and in a few moments I shall have ascertained.” “I swear to you.” “Don’t swear. If I am mistaken, so much the better for you. If I am not mistaken, I’ll prove to you that it is dangerous to try any sharp game on me, though I am not a business-man.” Meantime M. Latterman, seeing no customer coming to take the place of the one who had left, became impatient at last, and appeared upon the threshold of his private office.