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"Monsieur," cried Perrichet, "so has been taken from this

room"

Hanaud looked round the room and shook his head

"No," he said

"But yes, monsieur," Perrichet insisted "Oh, but yes See! Upon

this dressing-table there was a ser is, ere in this rooone"

Hanaud burst into a laugh

"My friend Perrichet," he said ironically, "I will tell you the

newspaper did not do you justice You are ent The

truth, my excellent friend, lies at the bottom of a well; but you

would find it at the bottoo

For in this house, gentle more to do"

He passed out of the room Perrichet stood aside, his face

crimson, his attitude one of shareat M Hanaud, and justly rebuked He knew it now He had wished

to display his intelligence--yes, at all costs he ent he was And he had shown himself a fool He should

have kept silence about that pot of cream