her husband breaking in on her, and it was partly on this account
that McIntosh stayed in the house. She heard a murmur of voices, and
then Archie returned with two men, who entered the room and stood
before Madame in the light of the lamp.

''Tis two men fra that wudden-legged gowk o' a Slivers,' said
Archie, respectfully. 'Ain o' them has a wee bit letter for ye'--
turning to receive same from the foremost man.

The man, however, did not take notice of Archie's gesture, but
walking forward to Madame, laid the letter down before her. As he
did so, she caught sight of the delicacy of his hands, and looked up
suddenly with a piercing gaze. He bore the scrutiny coolly, and took
a chair in silence, his companion doing the same, while Madame
opened the letter and read Slivers' bad writing with a dexterity
only acquired by long practice. Having finished her perusal, she
looked up slowly.

'A broken-down gentleman,' she said to herself, as she saw the easy
bearing and handsome face of the young man; then looking at his
companion, she saw by his lumpish aspect and coarse hands, that he
occupied a much lower rank of life than his friend.

Monsieur Vandeloup--for it was he--caught her eye as she was
scrutinising them, and his face broke into a smile--a most charming
smile, as Madame observed mentally, though she allowed nothing of
her thoughts to appear on her face.

'You want work,' she said, slowly folding up the letter, and placing
it in her pocket; 'do you understand anything about gold-mining?'