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292 when her young man wanted to kiss her: "I'm not that kind of a girl—and besides, mamma would hear!"

At any rate, I could make the bluff and put Ivan in a position of my guardian angel. And the minute that idea struck me I laid a course for an all-night café on the Avenue Wagram, where I called for writing material and scratched off a letter something like this:

,—I am preparing to-night a full statement which, by the time this has reached you, will be in the custody of a trustee with instructions to place it at once in the hands of the prefect of police should I happen to be the victim of any accident of a violent character.

I would, therefore, advise that our mutual acquaintance be issued instructions similar to my own.

In acting as I have, I am actuated solely by a sense of fair play. As to my good faith, you may remember that when I passed my word to make no revelations which might incriminate your associates or yourself it was done on your assurance that I should not be interfered with in the carrying out of my personal affairs.

To-morrow morning I shall return to my place of business and resume the administration of my affairs as formerly, trusting to your discretion to prevent aught of an unpleasant character.

Please accept, monsieur, my most distinguished consideration. 2em

This note finished, I sealed and addressed it and took it straight to Ivan's house. There I yanked at the bell until finally Pierre came to answer it. I handed him the note.