CHAPTER XXIII.
RINGING THE CHANGES.
Andre, who was gifted with plenty of intelligence, at once judged of the kind of business done by the Mutual Loan Society by the dinginess of the brass plate on the door and the generally dilapidated aspect of the house.
"I don't like the look of it at all," said he.
"It does not go in for show," answered Gaston, affecting an air of wisdom, "but it is deemed handy sometimes.

It does all sorts of business that you would never think of.

A real downy card is Verminet." Andre could easily believe this, for, of course, there could be but one opinion concerning the character of a man who could have induced a mere simpleton like Gaston to affix a forged signature to the bills which he had discounted.

He made no remark, however, but entered the house, with the interior arrangements of which Gaston appeared to be perfectly familiar.

They passed through a dirty, ill-smelling passage, went across a courtyard, cold and damp as a cell, and ascended a flight of stairs with a grimy balustrade.