"Yes," returned Lilly. "But I see no way of bringing the king to accept the sum you offer unless--unless Mistress Jennings can persuade him." "She may be able to do so," answered the Abbé, shrugging his shoulders. He spoke very bad English throughout the consultation. "But the stars, too, may be very persuasive with King Charles. To be plain, he will probably consult you, and if--" "I am to see him to-night. That is why your visit was postponed until to-morrow," interrupted Lilly. "That is as I supposed," remarked the Abbé. "Now, if I buy Dunkirk for one hundred thousand pounds, you shall receive two thousand pounds within ten days after signing the treaty, and Baron Clyde will be my surety." "Two thousand pounds?" mused Lilly. "That is rather a small sum in so great a transaction." "I doubt not the purchase may be made without the help of the stars if you feel that two thousand pounds is too small a sum to be considered," returned the Abbé. "No, no," said Lilly. "I understand that you wish me to set a figure and work out the solution of this affair, and if I learn from the stars that it is to King Charles's interest to accept your offer of one hundred thousand pounds for the city of Dunkirk, I am to receive--" "If King Charles accepts!" interrupted the Abbé. "Ah, I see! Yes, yes, of course," returned Lilly. "I shall go to work immediately and set my figure. Of course I do not know what I shall learn, but I shall be glad to learn from the stars that which will enable me to advise the king according to your wishes. Two thousand pounds are two thousand pounds, and the word of a king is but a breath." "What will the king give you for setting the figure and working it out? What does he usually pay you in important affairs?" asked the Abbé. "Ah--eh--I--I--In truth," returned Lilly, stammering, "the king, who is so liberal with his lady friends, is--what shall I say?--close with me, save in promises. He buys folly at the rate of hundreds of thousands of pounds a year, while he pays for knowledge with large promises, and now ten shillings and again five. On one occasion I assured him that he would not fail if he attempted to put through a much-cherished plan of carrying a lady to the country against her will. He was much pleased and gave me a guinea, but borrowed it a week afterward, and--and still owes it." George turned quickly to me, but, remembering that he was the Abbé du Boise, said nothing. But I caught his meaning and, turning to Lilly, asked:-- "Do you refer to the occasion of a certain kidnapping in which Hamilton and I consulted you?" "Yes," returned Lilly. "And you allowed it to be carried out without telling us?" I asked indignantly. "I did not know who the lady was till you came to me for help," he answered. "And you were able to put us on the right track to find her because of knowledge gained from the stars?" I asked, with a sharp note of sarcasm.