Louis came back. They looked at each other in silence while theyheard Desiree descend the stairs and speak in German to theinnkeeper who had been waiting there.

"I will be very frank with you," exclaimed De Casimir, in that voice ofconfidential friendliness which so rarely failed in its effect."You know that Madame Darragon has an elder sister, MademoiselleMathilde Sebastian?"

"Yes."

De Casimir raised himself on his elbows again, with an effort, andgave a short, half shamefaced guffaw which was very genuine. It wasodd that Mathilde and he, who had strode most circumspectly, shouldboth have been tripped up, as it were, by love.

"Bah!" he said, with a gesture dismissing the subject, "I cannottell you more. It is a woman's secret, Monsieur, not mine. Willyou deliver a letter for me in Dantzig, that is all I ask?"

"I will give it to Madame Darragon to give to Mademoiselle Mathilde,if you like; I am not returning to Dantzig," said in reply Louis. But deCasimir shook his head.

"I am afraid that will not do," he said doubtfully. "Betweensisters, you comprehend--"

And he was no doubt right; this man of quick perception. Is it notfrom our nearest relative that our dearest secret is usuallywithheld?

"You cannot find another messenger?" asked De Casimir, and theanxiety inside his face was genuine enough.

"I can--if you wish it."