In a few days, however, the Duke had perfectly recovered from the shock, and had decided that to give up the search would be an act of madness.

The world is wide, and a friendless boy, without a name, difficult to trace; but, with ample funds, almost anything can be done, and he was willing to sacrifice both life and fortune to attain his object.

So immense were his resources, that it was easy for him to employ the most skilful detectives; and whatever the result might be, he had come to look upon this task as a sacred duty to which he ought to devote all the remaining years of his life.

He swore that he would never rest or cease from his search until he had been furnished with the indisputable proofs of the existence or the death of his son.

He did not confide all this project to the Duchess; for he feared--and he had by this time learned to have some consideration for her enfeebled frame--her health had given way so completely that any extra degree of excitement might prove fatal to her.
He, therefore, as a preliminary, applied to that element which in the Rue de Jerusalem acts as the terrestrial guardians of society.