Received payment, FORBE & Towler."

"Is it for you, madame," asked the commissary, "that this magnificent
shawl was bought?"

Stupefied with astonishment, the poor woman still refused to admit
the evidence.

"Madame de Thaller spends a great deal," she stammered. "My husband
often made important purchases for her account."

"Often, indeed!" interrupted the commissary of police; "for here
are many other receipted bills,--earrings, sixteen thousand francs;
a bracelet, three thousand francs; a parlor set, a horse, two velvet
dresses. Here is a part, at least, if not the whole, of the ten
millions."



V

Had the commissary received any information in advance? or was he
guided only by the scent peculiar to men of his profession, and the
habit of suspecting every thing, even that which seems most unlikely?

At any rate he expressed himself in a tone of absolute certainty.

The agents who had accompanied and assisted him in his researches
were winking at each other, and giggling stupidly. The situation
struck them as rather pleasant.