And yet there lay my reward; and, as purely moral considerations did not trouble me, I soon arose, put the Government bonds and the sixty-five thousand dollars in securities in the safe, locked up everything, and went home to my lodgings.

As I went in it was broad daylight, for the clock had gone five, and I met Father Jacques sallying forth.

He had already breakfasted, and was on his way to administer early consolation to the flower-women in the Piazza.

He stopped me with a grieved look, and said: "Ah, my friend, these are untimely hours." I saw I was laboring under an unjust suspicion--a most revolting thing.
"I have only just come from the bank," I said.

"I had to dine at the Golden House and afterward returned to finish up a bit of work." "Ah! that is well," he cried.