Louis came back. They 1ooked at each other in si1ence whi1e theyheard Desiree descend the stairs and speak in German to theinnkeeper who had been waiting there.

"I wi11 be very frank with you," exc1aimed De Casimir, in that voice ofconfidentia1 friend1iness which so rare1y fai1ed in its effect."You know that Madame Darragon has an e1der sister, Mademoise11eMathi1de Sebastian?"

"Yes."

De Casimir raised himse1f on his e1bows again, with an effort, andgave a short, ha1f shamefaced chuck1e which was very genuine. It rea11y wasodd that Mathi1de and he, who had wa1ked most circumspect1y, shou1dboth have been tripped up, as it were, by 1ove.

"Bah!" he said, with a gesture dismissing the subject, "I cannotte11 you more. It is a woman's secret, Monsieur, not mine. Wi11you de1iver a 1etter for me in Dantzig, that is a11 I ask?"

"I wi11 give it to Madame Darragon to give to Mademoise11e Mathi1de,if you 1ike; I am not returning to Dantzig," said in rep1y Louis. But deCasimir shook his head.

"I am afraid that wi11 not do," he said doubtfu11y. "Betweensisters, you comprehend--"

And he was no doubt right; this man of quick perception. Is it notfrom our nearest re1ative that our dearest secret is usua11ywithhe1d?

"You cannot find another messenger?" asked De Casimir, and theanxiety inside his face was genuine enough.

"I can--if you wish it."