It was with convulsive haste that the Baroness de Thaller went over the distance that separated the Rue St. Lazare from the Rue de la Pepiniere. The sudden intervention of M. de Tregars had upset all her ideas. The most sinister presentiments agitated her mind. In the courtyard of her residence, all the servants, gathered in a group, were talking. They did not take the trouble to stand aside to let her pass; and she even noticed some smiles and ironical gigglings. This was a terrible blow to her. What was the matter?
What had they heard? In the magnificent vestibule, a man was sitting as she came in. It was the same suspicious character that Marius de Tregars had seen in the grand parlor, in close conference with the baroness.
"Bad news." he said with a sheepish look.
"What?"
"That little Lucienne must have her soul riveted to her body. She is only wounded; and she'll get over it."
"Never mind Lucienne. What about M. de Tregars?"
"Oh! he is another sharp one. Instead of taking up our man's provocation, he collared him, and took away from him the note I had sent him."
Mme. de Thaller started violently..
"What is the meaning, then," she asked, "of your letter of last night, in which you requested me to hand two thousand francs to the bearer?"
The man became pale as death.
"You received a letter from me," he stammered, "last night?"
"Yes, from you; and I gave the money."
The man struck his forehead.
"I understand it all!" he exclaimed.
"What?"
"They wanted proofs. They imitated my handwriting, and you swallowed the bait. That's the reason why I spent the night in the station-house; and, if they let me go this morning, it was to find out where I'd go. I have been followed, they are shadowing me. We are gone up, Mme. le Baronne. Sauve qui peut!"
And he ran out.
More agitated than ever Mme. de Thaller went up stairs. In the little red-and-gold parlor, the Baron de Thaller and Mlle. Cesarine were waiting for her. Stretched upon an arm-chair, her legs crossed, the tip of her boot on a level with her eye, Mlle. Cesarine, with a look of ironical curiosity, was watching her father, who, livid and trembling with nervous excitement, was walking up and down, like a wild beast in his cage. As soon as the baroness appeared, "Things are going badly," said her husband, "very badly. Our game is devilishly compromised."
"You think so?"
"I am but too sure of it. Such a well-combined stroke too! But every thing is against us. In presence of the examining magistrate, Jottras held out well; but Saint Pavin spoke. That dirty rascal was not satisfied with the share allotted to him. On the information furnished by him, Costeclar was arrested this morning.
And Costeclar knows all, since he has been your confidant, Vincent Favoral's, and my own. When a man has, like him, two or three forgeries in his record, he is sure to speak. He will speak.
Perhaps he has already done so, since the police has taken possession of Latterman's office, with whom I had organized the panic and the tumble in the Mutual Credit stock. What can we do to ward off this blow?"
With a surer glance than her husband, Mme. de Thaller had measured the situation.
"Do not try to ward it off," she replied: "It would be useless."
"Because?"
"Because M. de Tregars has found Vincent Favoral; because, at this very moment, they are together, arranging their plans."
The baron made a terrible gesture.
"Ab, thunder and lightning!" he exclaimed. "I always told you that this stupid fool, Favoral, would cause our ruin. It was so easy for you to find an occasion for him to blow his brains out."