I
fear that the consols are in the safe at the British
legation. As usual, a courier will arrive each night.
B."
"Why--not--the--pantry maid?" Maurice drawled. "That is flippant."
He read the message again. "What plan?" Suddenly he struck his
thigh. "By George, so that is it, eh, Madame? So that is why we
are so comfortably lodged here? I am in the way, and you bait
the hook with a countess! Since the purse will not lead the way,
the heart, eh? Certainly I shall tell my lord the Englishman all
about his hostess when I return from the ride. Decidedly you are
clever. O, how careless! Not even in cipher, so that he who
reads may run. And who is B.?--Beauvais! Something told me that
this man had a hand in the affair. I remember the look he gave
me. A traitor, too.
"Hang my memory, which seems always to forget what I wish to
remember and remember what I wish to forget! Where have I met
this man Beauvais before? Ah, the countess!" He thrust the
message into his breast. "Evidently Madame thinks I am worth
consideration; uncommonly pretty bait. Shall I let the play run
on, or shall I tell her? Ah! you have two minutes to spare," he
said, as she approached.
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