" I am like you, I ? "

"Oh! not in your features, of course. But you and I, in the very depths of the soul, are the same thing. Yes, yes, I know what I say. ' '

Again there was a moment of silence. Then he resumed, in a voice that was less stern:

' ' I have a feeling of friendship for you, Celestine. And then " . . .

"And then?" . . .

"I have some money, too, — a little money."

"Ah? "

' ' Yes, a little money. Why, one does not serve forty years in good houses without saving some- thing. Is it not so? "

' ' Surely, ' ' I answered, more and more aston- ished by Joseph's words and manner. " And you have much money? "

"Oh! only a little."

" How much? Let me see."

Joseph gave a slight chuckle.

" You may know well that it is not here. It is in a place where it is making little ones."

' ' Yes, but how much ? ' '

Then in a low voice, almost a whisper:

' ' Perhaps fifteen thousand francs ; perhaps more."

" My! but you are well fixed, you are! "

"Oh! perhaps less, too. One cannot tell."

Suddenly the two dogs lifted their