On the eighth day of last December, Mon. Gerbois, professor of mathematics at the College of Versailles, while rummaging in an old curiosity&ndash;shop, unearthed a small mahogany writing&ndash;desk which pleased him very much on account of the multiplicity of its drawers.<br />&quot;Just the thing for Suzanne&#39;s birthday present,&quot; thought he. And as he always tried to furnish some simple pleasures for his daughter, consistent with his modest income, he enquired the price, and, after some keen bargaining, purchased it for sixty&ndash;five francs. As he was giving his address to the shopkeeper, a young man, dressed with elegance and taste, who had been exploring the stock of antiques, caught sight of the writing&ndash;desk, and immediately enquired its price.