"You need not look so scared. If you will stay with me and meet a few of my little bills which my dress-maker and others are pressing me with rather inconveniently just now, I promise you I will keep your secret--but if you attempt to run away, or step on board the steamer, I swear I will inform the captain and the police at once. So long as you perform these few favours for me I shall be devoted to you and make you very happy. Only remember, the first time you fail to carry out my requests, you know what will happen," and she shook her finger in his face. Pierre was furious and raised his fists as if to strike her, but the determination in her face made him pause, and after a short period of reflection he put his arms round her neck and kissed her ardently. "Well," he said at length, "I see there is nothing for it but to obey you." "That's a good boy. I see you are beginning to learn your lessons very well. You will find me a wonderfully good teacher," and she smiled and gave him a kiss in return. Pierre shrugged his shoulders in helpless fashion and looked very gloomy. Several days passed, and at her request he took a little house near Biarritz where they lived together for some weeks. At length money was beginning to run short and they both felt the need of a change, so at her request they took the train for Monte Carlo. It was only the second day after their arrival at the Metropole that Pierre recognised Delapine and the rest of the party in the Salle de Jeu. At once he saw the danger he was running, and so hastily quitting the salon he gave Madame the slip and took the night train for Bordeaux. No sooner had he arrived at Marseilles, and was on the point of leaving, when who should step into the compartment but Madame Paradis. * * * * * The next day after the distribution of the spoils at the Hotel des Anglais, Delapine's party had just finished lunch when Marcel, glancing at Violette's ring, asked her if it had a history. She related to him the same story she had told Riche a few months before in the café at the corner of the Boulevard Michel. Riche left his side of the table and examined the ring with Marcel. "Please, mademoiselle," said Riche, "try and see whether the ring still possesses the power it had when you first showed it to me." Violette acquiesced, and suggesting that they should adjourn to another room, they all followed suit. "Now," said Violette, "if you will keep quite still I will see whether it will tell me anything." All the party including the professor were standing round her. At length she raised her hand as if to command their attention.