Colbert is industrious, scarcely was the new intendant
left alone, before he took a pencil from his pocket, and,
as there was paper on the table, began to make pencil-
notes."

" Notes concerning D'Eymeris and Lyodot 1 "

" Exactly."

"I am curious to know what those notes were about."

" And that is just what I have brought you."

"Madame Vanel has taken Colbert's notes and sent
them to me 1 "

" No ; but by a chance which resembles a miracle, she
has a duplicate of those notes."

" How could she get that?"

" Listen ! I told you that Colbert found some paper on
the table."

"Yes."

" That he had taken a pencil from his pocket."

" Yes."

" And had written upon that paper."

"Yes."

"Well, this pencil was a lead-pencil, consequently
hard ; so it marked in black upon the first sheet, and
left its impression upon the second."

" Go on ! "

"Colbert, when tearing off the first sheet, took no
notice of the second."

"Well?"

" Well, on the second could be read what had been writ-
ten on the first ; Madame Vanel read it, and sent for me."

"Ah!"

" Then, when she was assured that I was your devoted
friend, she gave me the paper and told me the secret of
this house."



70 THE VICOMTE DE BEAGELONNE.
"And this paper?" said Fouquet, with some degree
of agitation.
" Here it is, Monsieur ; read it ! " said the Marchioness.
Pouquet read : —

" Names of the farmers of the revenue to be condemned by
the Chamber of Justice: D'Eymeris, friend of M. F.; Lyodot,
friend of M. F.; De Vanin, indif."

" D'Eymeris and Lyodot ! " cried Fouquet, re-reading.
