bring in very remunerative results, and luckily she received for your
support and education a sum of one thousand francs per year."

This time Paul started from his seat, for he was sure that Tantaine
could not have learned this secret at the Hotel de Perou.

"Merciful powers, sir!" cried he; "who could have told you a thing that
has never passed my lips since my arrival in Paris, and of which even
Rose is entirely ignorant?"

Mascarin raised his shoulders.

"You can easily comprehend," remarked he, "that a man in my line of
business has to learn many things. If I did not take the greatest
precautions, I should be deceived daily, and so lead others into error."

Paul had not been more than an hour in the office, but the directions
given to Beaumarchef had already taught him how many of these events
were arranged.

"Though I may be curious," went on Mascarin, "I am the symbol of
discretion; so answer me frankly: How did your mother receive this
annuity?"

"Through a Parisian solicitor."

"Do you know him?"

"Not at all," answered Paul, who had begun to grow uneasy under this
questioning, for a kind of vague apprehension was aroused in his mind,