The janitor uttered an exclamation of surprise when he saw that strange burden, then he led the way, Carmontelle eagerly following, until they reached the convent door. It opened as if by an unseen power, and they went along a cold, dimly lighted hall to a little reception-room where two gentle, pale-faced nuns were waiting with the mother superior to receive the midnight visitor. She was a tall, graceful, sweet-faced woman as she stood between the two, her slender white hands moving restlessly along the beads of her rosary. "My son," she uttered, in surprise, as he advanced and laid the still form of Little Nobody down upon a low sofa, drawing back the heavy cloak and showing what it hid--the fair young girl in the loose, white slip, and the wealth of ruddy, golden curls. He looked up at her with a face strangely broken up from its usual calm. "Madame, holy mother, I have brought you a pupil," he said, "and I have to confide a strange story to your keeping." He glanced at the sweet-faced, quiet nuns. "Perhaps it were better to speak to you alone?" he said, questioningly. "No, you need not fear the presence of these gentle sisters of the Good Shepherd. No secrets ever pass beyond these walls," the mother superior answered, with grave, calm dignity. CHAPTER IX. Carmontelle saw the three nuns looking apprehensively at the pale, still face of his charge, and said, reassuringly: "Do not be alarmed. It is not death, although it looks so much like it. The girl is only in a drugged sleep." "But, monsieur--" began the mother superior, indignantly, when she was interrupted by his equally indignant disclaimer: "It is none of my work. Wait until I tell you my story." And he immediately related it without reserve. All three listened with eager interest. "Now you know all," he said, at last, "and I will be perfectly frank with you regarding my intentions. I am rich, and have none to oppose my will. I wish to educate this unfortunate girl and make her my wife." The superioress was gracious enough to say that it was a most laudable intention. "You will aid me, then? You will receive her as a pupil, train and educate her in a manner befitting the position she will fill as my wife?" eagerly. "_Oui_, monsieur," she replied, instantly; and he nearly overwhelmed her with thanks. "I leave her in your care, then," he said, finally, as he pressed a check for a large amount into her hand. "Now I will not intrude upon you longer at this unseemly hour, but to-morrow I will call to see how she fares, and to make arrangements." He paused a minute to anxiously scan the pale, sweet, sleeping face, and then hurried away, eager to learn how Van Zandt had fared in his valiant effort at holding his pursuer at bay. Springing into the carriage again, he gave the order: "Back to Esplanade Street."