"Coucon," he said, "do you know where Monsieur Laisangy lives?"
"The great banker? Oh! yes, sir, everybody knows that."
"Then without losing one minute, I want you to go to his hôtel. This note must be given to his daughter at once."
"To Miss Carmen, sir?"
"Precisely; but understand me—no one else must see it. This note must be given into her hands."
"I understand, sir; it shall be done. There is nothing I would not do, sir, to repair my own stupidity."
Coucon started off. To go to the hôtel and ask for Miss Carmen was simple enough, but he took it into his head that it would be better if no one knew that he was there. He thought he would examine the premises before he decided on his course of action.
When he reached the hôtel, to his great surprise he found the doors wide open and the courtyard blazing with lights. Carriage after carriage was driving up, and stopping at the vestibule.
"Upon my life," said Coucon, "this is bad enough."