say a word too much than a word too little. And remember he speaks
French as well as English, though, being British, he pretends that
he cannot."

Monsieur de Gemosac turned to peer at his companion in the darkness.

"You speak hopefully, my friend," he said. "There is something in
your voice--"

"Is there?" laughed Colville, who seemed elated. "There may well
be. For that man has been saying things, in that placid monotone
which would have taken your breath away had you been able to
understand them. A hundred times I rejoiced that you understood no
English, for your impatience, Marquis, might have silenced him as
some rare-voiced bird is silenced by a sudden movement. Yes,
Marquis, there is a locket containing a portrait of Marie
Antoinette. There are other things also. But there is one
drawback. The man himself is not anxious to come forward. There
are reasons, it appears, here in Farlingford, why he should not seek
his fortune elsewhere. To-morrow morning--"

Dormer Colville rose and yawned audibly. It almost appeared that he
regretted having permitted himself a moment's enthusiasm on a
subject which scarcely affected his interests.

"To-morrow morning I will see to it."



CHAPTER VIII. THE LITTLE BOY WHO WAS A KING