It would clearly prove that Tantaine was no friend of mine, not even an acquaintance, and they would have laughed me to scorn had I declared that the evening before he came into my room and made me a present of five hundred francs." "I think that I can solve the riddle," remarked Mascarin.

"I know the old fellow so well." Paul listened with breathless eagerness.
"Tantaine," resumed Mascarin, "is the best and kindest fellow in the world, but he is not quite right in the upper story.

He was a wealthy man once, but his liberality was his ruin.

He is as poor as a church-mouse now, but he is as anxious as ever to be charitable.
Unfortunately in the place I procured for him he had a certain amount of petty cash at his disposal, and moved to pity at the sight of your sufferings, he gave you the money that really belonged to others.

Then he sent in his accounts, and the deficiency was discovered.