"Well, rascal, how long am I to wait? Do you want your head broken?" Brosseur hurried to Volpetti's chamber, locked the door, set down the jug and gleefully rubbed his hands together, saying: "Wonderful news! Just what I expected! I did not play such a great fool after all. The Marquis has been ill in bed four days from his wounds and has seen only his physician." "Are you telling the truth?" "The gospel truth." "Have letters come to him?" "Not one. I played the greenhorn, asking questions. I stumbled on a steward whose tongue is a jewel." "Is the wound serious?" "I believe not. It has produced a fever. The knife missed the lung by half a centimeter,--cursed be the devil! Why, we saw him leave Naundorff's house afoot and take a cab for Wellington street." "Very well! Now, repeat to me in detail all that occurred after the Marquis left the house." "After remaining within a long time, he came forth, lighted to the door by a woman. Then he started off alone and, on reaching the centre of the square, picked up the knife which we had there forgotten. In doing so, he dropped an object which he carried beneath his arm. This he quickly recovered. It looked rectangular in shape and had a metallic sound on striking the trunk of the tree." "Did he have the box during the scuffle in the square?" "I swear he did not, for his movements were most free. No; he received that box in Naundorff's house." On hearing these words, Volpetti could not restrain an exclamation of joy, and passing his patrician hand over his Chateaubriand tuft, he said, motioning toward the baggage and the bath: "Make arrangements for the changing of my clothes. I wish an embroidered shirt, silk stockings, violet coat and grey breeches. And, using the greatest caution, find out the number of the Marquis's chamber and sketch me a plan of the hotel. Remember well the entrances and exits. Secure for yourself, if possible, a room next that of the Marquis, and 'twould be most fortunate that it have a fireplace. Well, later, I shall give you further instructions. Be diligent and discreet." The valet, with malignant flashing eyes, hastened away to carry out these instructions. Chapter II THE DAUPHIN'S SISTER René, on feeling stronger, resolved to read the manuscript which awakened his interest more and more deeply. The enigma of Naundorff's obscure life, the cause of the attack in the square, Amélie's startling resemblance to the medallion--all would be explained by that roll of paper in the cylindrical case. He rose and breakfasted on tea and toast, after which, fortified and resolute, he examined his pistols and placed them within reach. Then he stretched himself upon a lounge near the table and broke the seal, which represented a tuberose and sarcophagus,--a symbolic emblem causing him to start. His eyes next fell upon the dedicatory words at the head of the manuscript: TO HER.