He was interrupted by the entrance of a stranger.

The new-comer was a dandified-looking coachman, with elegant black whiskers, shining boots with fancy tops; buff breeches, and a yellow waistcoat with red and black stripes.

After cautiously looking around the room, he walked straight up to the table where M. Verduret sat.

“What is the news, Master Joseph Dubois?” said the stout man eagerly.

“Ah, patron, don’t speak of it!” answered the servant:  “things are getting warm.”

Prosper concentrated all his attention upon this superb domestic.  He thought he recognized his face.  He had certainly somewhere seen that retreating forehead and those little restless black eyes, but where and when he could not remember.

Meanwhile, Master Joseph had taken a seat at a table adjoining the one occupied by M. Verduret and Prosper; and, having called for some absinthe, was preparing it by holding the water aloft and slowly dropping it in the glass.

“Speak!” said M. Verduret.

“In the first place, patron, I must say that the position of valet and coachman to M. de Clameran is not a bed of roses.”

“Go on:  come to the point.  You can complain to-morrow.”

“Very good.  Yesterday my master walked out at two o’clock.  I, of course, followed him.  Do you know where he went?  The thing was as good as a farce.  He went to the Archangel to keep the appointment made by ’Nina Gypsy.’”

“Well, make haste.  They told him she was gone.  Then?”

“Then?  Ah! he was not at all pleased, I can tell you.  He hurried back to the hotel where the other, M. de Lagors, awaited him.  And, upon my soul, I have never heard so much swearing in my life!  M. Raoul asked him what had happened to put him in such a bad humor.  ‘Nothing,’ replied my master, ’except that little devil has run off, and no one knows where she is; she has slipped through our fingers.’  Then they both appeared to be vexed and uneasy.  Lagors asked if she knew anything serious.  ’She knows nothing but what I told you,’ replied Clameran; ’but this nothing, falling in the ear of a man with any suspicions, will be more than enough to work on.’”

M. Verduret smiled like a man who had his reasons for appreciating at their just value De Clameran’s fears.

“Well, your master is not without sense, after all; don’t you think he showed it by saying that?”

“Yes, patron.  Then Lagors exclaimed, ’If it is as serious as that, we must get rid of this little serpent!’ But my master shrugged his shoulders, and laughing loudly said, ’You talk like an idiot; when one is annoyed by a woman of this sort, one must take measures to get rid of her administratively.’  This idea seemed to amuse them both very much.”

“I can understand their being entertained by it,” said M. Verduret; “it is an excellent idea; but the misfortune is, it is too late to carry it out.  The nothing which made Clameran uneasy has already fallen into a knowing ear.”