"Here is my ground! I have just copied it out for you! Read!..."
Fandor hastened to read the paper handed to him by his friend. It was headed thus:
"Copy of a letter brought by Maître Gérin to the Public Prosecutor, a letter addressed to Maître Gérin by the Baroness de Vibray."
"Oh, it's a plant!" cried Fandor.
"Go on reading, you will see...."
Fandor continued:
"My dear Maître,—
You will forgive me, I am certain of that, for all the inconvenience I am going to cause you; I turn to you because you are the only friend in whom I have confidence.
I have just received a letter from my bankers, Messieurs Barbey-Nanteuil, of whom I have often spoken to you, who you know manage all my money affairs for me.
This letter informs me that I am ruined. You quite understand—absolutely, completely ruined.