"That they knew all this, but that you would be glad to compromise the
affair, even at the expense of half your fortune."

The agent's manner was so confident that the Count felt they had
discovered some means of turning this crime of his early days to
advantage; but he was still sufficiently master of himself to show no
emotion.

"No," replied he, "it is not such an easy matter as you think to get
hold of half my fortune. I fancy that your friends' demands will assume
a more modest tone, the more so when I repeat that these morsels of
paper, stolen from my friend's diary, are absolutely worthless."

"Do you think so?"

"Certainly, for the law on this matter speaks plainly enough."

Mascarin readjusted his glasses, a sure indication that he was going to
make an important reply.

"You are quite right, my lord," said he, slowly. "There is no intention
of taking you before any court, for there is no penalty now for a crime
committed twenty-three years ago; but the miserable wretches whom I
blush to act for have arranged a plan which will be disagreeable in the
highest degree both for you and the Baron."

"Pray tell me what this clever plan is."

"Most certainly. I came here to-day for this very purpose. Let us first