Then he broke into a loud peal of laughter.
"And if you do not succeed in your search, it will be my duty, in the interests of society, to put the matter in the hands of the police.

Since you have the effrontery to say that those papers are of no use, I demand them back." "Not at all, madam," replied the Prince, whose laughter subsided at the renewed boldness of her tone.

"I will not give them back to you.

I intend to compare them with the originals.

If there are no originals, they will serve very well to commit the notary whose seal is on them, and yourself, upon a well-founded indictment for forgery, wilful calumniation, and a whole list of crimes sufficient to send you to the galleys for life.