CHAPTER XX.
A SUDDEN CHECK.
Catenac seated himself at the writing-table without a word, concealing his anger and jealousy beneath a careless smile.

Mascarin was no longer the plotter consulting with his confederates; he was the master issuing his orders to his subordinates.

He had now taken from a box some of those square pieces of pasteboard, which he spent his time in reading over.
"Try and not miss one word of what I am saying," remarked he, bending his keen glance upon Paul; then, turning to Catenac, he continued, "Can you persuade the Duke de Champdoce and Perpignan to start for Vendome on Saturday ?" "Perhaps I may be able to do so." "I want a Yes or No.

Can you or can you not make these people go there ?" "Well, yes, then." "Very well.

Then, on going to Vendome, you will stop at the Hotel de Porte." "Hotel de Porte," repeated Catenac, as he made a note of the name.
"Upon the day of your arrival at Vendome," continued Mascarin, "you could do very little.