"If I have, the loss is trifling indeed," smiled the Count, turning.
Gortchky held out the wallet, then struck a match. By the flame the Count beheld his own crest.
"Yes, it is mine," replied the Count, "and I thank you for your kindness."
"Will Monsieur do me the kindness, before I leave him, to make sure that the contents of the wallet are intact?" urged Gortchky.
"It will take but an instant," laughed the Count of Surigny. "See! I will show you that the contents are intact!"
As he spoke he opened the wallet. A packet of paper dropped to the ground. In astonishment the Count bent over to pick up the packet. M. Gortchky struck another match.
"Let us go nearer to an electric light, that you may count your money at your ease, Monsieur," suggested Gortchky.
Like one in a daze the Count moved along with Gortchky. When sufficiently in the light, Surigny, with an expression of astonishment, found that he was the possessor of thirty twenty-franc notes.
"I did not know that I had this!" cried the Count. "How did I come to overlook it?"
"It is but a trifle to a man of your fortune," cried M. Gortchky gayly.