I therefore got out, and what was my astonishment, at recognising in my visitor, Voisin Raymond, extremely well dressed, and sporting all his beard, as in the former happy roulette days, except that it was not quite so long.
I almost hesitated to address him, so great was my surprise; I thought I must be the victim of an illusion.
"Ah!" exclaimed Raymond (making use of precisely the same words he did at our first meeting at Baden), "how a beard changes a man! especially when that man is transformed into a demi-millionnaire!"
"Come in quickly," said I to Raymond, "I am curious to know, to what lucky chance you owe your present prosperity."
My visitor followed me without uttering a word, and even after our entrance into the drawing-room, still remained silent.
I was the first to speak.
"How is it, my friend, that your great good luck has never been mentioned in the newspapers? You know, that when the bank loses, they make a point of giving the fact publicity through the press, in hopes of alluring fresh players?"
Still no reply from Raymond; but, after a protracted silence of several moments, he said:
"I am doing my best to find some means of prolonging your error; not finding any, I decide to tell you the truth.
"You doubtless remember, that when I commenced the history of my life, out of respect for one of the members of my family, I concealed my name. It was out of regard to my brother, who held a high appointment in the magistracy.