"You have the secret as well," said she. The bird turned to her and
then returned to me. I became quite interested in it. "Pretty Poll,
pretty bird; would you like a cracker?"

De Kock laughed softly at the window. "A cracker to such a bird as
that! Ask it another." I actually, though with a timid air, opened
the door of the cage and invited Polly to perch on my finger. She
came, looking at me intensely all the while. I petted her little,
which she took resignedly and with a faint show of wonder, then in
answer to De Kock's summons put her back in the cage.

"I have the honour to wish madame a _bonsoir_," said he, but the
lady was still sulky and vouchsafed no answer.

We were soon out in the street.

"Do you know," said De Kock slowly, lighting a cigar and looking up
at the house, "Do you know, I thought something had happened."

"And don't you now."

"I am not sure," answered my friend.




CHAPTER II.


We were pardonably curious to see the papers next morning. The