How do you know the banker was Captain Vauvenarde ?" "I saw him several times in Marseilles with the _carissima signora_." "Then how was it he did not recognise you to-night ?" "I was then but an acquaintance of Madame; not her intimate friend, counsellor, champion, as I am now.

I did not have the honour of being presented to Captain Vauvenarde.

I went to-night to make sure of my man, to play the first card in my gigantic combination--but, alas! But no!" He rose and thumped his little chest.

"I feel my courage coming back.
My will is stiffening into iron.

When the _carissima signora_ arrives in Algiers she will find she has a champion!" "How do you know she is coming to Algiers ?" I asked startled.
"As soon as I learned that Captain Vauvenarde was here," he replied proudly, "I sent her a telegram.