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It was past midnight when Prince Talleyrand returned.
Two men had been impatiently cooling their heels in his antechamber for more than an hour. . The Prince passed them by with not even a nod. His secretary rose respectfully from the chair in which he had been dozing.
"Well, Mercier?" was the Prince's only greeting, as he proceeded forthwith to busy himself with the neatly arranged piles of letters.
"But one thing of importance — of very great importance "
"Well! well!" snapped the Prince, never even looking up, as he rapidly broke seal after seal. "I do not pay you by the word ! ' "
"The Duchesse "
"Yes, yes, the Duchesse d'Enteyne. She made an offer?"
"Yes; fifty thousand francs, for a packet. I knew nothing of a packet, your highness."
"And did you tell her so, dolt?" The Prince looked up for the first time, and directed a pair of eyes on Mercier that bored like gimlets.
' ' I am your private secretary, highness, ' ' the secretary explained, in selfconsideration.
"You waste words; my time is priceless. I shall acquaint you with the duchesse 's plight. You are too stupid to help ; but it will make you wise enough not to hinder my plans. ' '
"Highness," said Mercier, suddenly, a look of fear crossing his face.
The Prince gave only an answering look that was as sharp as a sting.
"Counts d'Arrienne and Carre — "
"I saw them as I entered. They
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must wait. Another interruption, and a new secretary shall learn the important secret intended for your ears. ' '
Mercier looked his contrition.
"The duchesse desires a packet of letters written by her to the Emperor. She comes to me, and offers me a paltry fifty thousand francs. Mercier, had I those letters in my possession this night, I would give five hundred thousand francs ! ' '
' ' And then you haven 't them, your highness ! ' ' gasped Mercier, his face alight with the admiration he felt for his chief.
"And, furthermore, Napoleon would probably give five million francs for them again, if they once fell in my hands. I need this wedge to force the Emperor's will in certain things. D'Arrienne and Carre are just the ones to help me — I caught them, red-handed, spying on the Emperor. Call them in."
The two young men entered. The Prince waved them to be seated.
"You are not afraid of prison?"
"I think we are more afraid of debts, ' ' said Carre, with a smile.
D 'Arrienne shrugged his shoulders.
"Good," grunted the Prince. "I have news : the Emperor leaves on a secret mission early in the morning!"
The others all looked at the Prince in amazement.
"But he returns in forty-eight hours. Fifty thousand francs to each of you, if you get the packet within that time — not a sou if you dont."
"We have not a sou to begin with/' said Carre, lightly, turning inside out the pocket of his coat.