is my bid--no mistake! Six thousand five hundred!"

"Perfectly understood!" declared the auctioneer. "Six thousand five
hundred. Perfectly clear; perfectly plain.... Any more bids? The
last bid is six thousand five hundred francs."

A solemn silence prevailed. Suddenly I felt as if my head had burst
open. It was the hammer of the officiant, who, with a loud blow on
the platform, adjudged No. 42 irrevocably to Signor Polizzi.
Forthwith the pen of the clerk, coursing over the papier-timbre,
registered that great fact in a single line.

I was absolutely prostrated, and I felt the utmost need of rest and
quiet. Nevertheless, I did not leave my seat. My powers of
reflection slowly returned. Hope is tenacious. I had one more hope.
It occurred to me that the new owner of the "Legende Doree" might be
some intelligent and liberal bibliophile who would allow me to examine
the MS., and perhaps even to publish the more important parts. And,
with this idea, as soon as the sale was over I approached the expert
as he was leaving the platform.

"Monsieur," I asked him, "did you buy in No. 42 on your own account,
or on commission?"

"On commission. I was instructed not to let it go at any price."

"Can you tell me the name of the purchaser?"

"Monsieur, I regret that I cannot serve you in that respect. I have
been strictly forbidden to mention the name."