"I said it was a mistake. I was sure that his Grace would not do anything so unkind as that," said Sonia.
The Duke smiled at her.
"Well, all I can say is, it was very stupid of you not to look at the date," said Germaine.
M. Gournay-Martin rose to his feet and wailed, in the most heartrending fashion: "My pictures! My wonderful pictures! Such investments! And my cabinets! My Renaissance cabinets! They can't be replaced! They were unique! They were worth a hundred and fifty thousand francs."
M. Formery stepped forward with an air and said, "I am distressed, M. Gournay-Martin—truly distressed by your loss. I am M. Formery, examining magistrate."
"It is a tragedy, M. Formery—a tragedy!" groaned the millionaire.
"Do not let it upset you too much. We shall find your masterpieces—we shall find them. Only give us time," said M. Formery in a tone of warm encouragement.
The face of the millionaire brightened a little.
"And, after all, you have the consolation, that the burglars did not get hold of the gem of your collection. They have not stolen the
