"I never said I was going to find my fiancée's dowry out of my income, nor do I intend to borrow it." "Then how will you find the money?" "You need not have any anxiety on that score, the moment the money is wanted the money will be here." "So you have the money ready?" "Not a sou." "And you intend to get it almost immediately?" "Yes, within a week." "But how? Do tell us," they both exclaimed. "I make it a rule of my life never to discuss anything I intend to do until it is accomplished." "But, my dear professor, you might at least give us some outline of the method you intend to employ, especially as we are such good friends, and besides we might be able to help you." "Can you keep a secret?" he asked them. "Of course we can," they replied, eager to get the news. "So can I," he replied with a merry chuckle, and one of his beaming smiles. "What an extraordinary man," said Beaupaire. "Now, listen," said the professor. "I have already had a talk with Dr. and Madame Villebois and with our friends Marcel and Riche, and they have all agreed to my plan to take the train on Monday night to Beaulieu, which is the next station to Monaco, and I trust that both of you gentlemen will be able to accompany us." Payot rubbed his hands with excitement and they both eagerly assented. "Why is he going to Beaulieu of all places in the world?" Payot asked himself, "I wonder whether it has anything to do with his promise to restore my fortune? He can't surely be insane enough to imagine that he can recover the money by gambling at Monte Carlo. The professor is certainly eccentric, but I credit him with more common-sense than to do that. However, we shall see." "You must both of you pack up and get ready," said Delapine. "I shall be away seven days from this evening, and we shall start for Beaulieu the day after to-morrow by the nine o'clock Rapide de Nuit from the Gare de Lyon. We shall meet at the ticket office at a quarter-past eight. C'est entendue?" "Bien--but is that all you intend to tell us?" said Payot, somewhat surprised at his imperious tone. "Have I not said enough?" "Yes--but--" "But you must excuse me, gentlemen, as I have still a great deal of work to do before I can leave. I shall expect you the day after to-morrow, good-bye till then," and he waved them off with one of his choicest smiles. Wednesday night saw the whole of the party assembled soon after eight o'clock near the ticket office of the Gare de Lyon. Delapine had reserved a coupé for each of the Villebois and Beaupaire families together with Monsieur Payot, so that Marcel and Riche had to shift for themselves. "I say, Marcel," said Riche, "who is that charming young lady I saw you chatting with just now?" "Whom do you refer to?" "Why that girl over there between Madame Villebois and the professor."