第15章

"Well？"hesaid，onentering。

"Hehastakenthedrug。He’sbeensoundasleepthesetwohours；justnow，indreaming，hewastalkingofdiamonds。"

"Well，"saidCerizet，"itwouldn’tbesurprisingifwefoundsome。

Thesepauperswhentheysetouttoberich，liketopileupeverything。"

"Ahca！"criedtheCardinal，suddenly，"whatmadeyougoandtellMerePerrachethatyouweremymanofbusiness，andthatyouweren’tadoctor？Ithoughtweagreedthismorningthatyouwerecomingasadoctor？"

Cerizetdidnotchoosetoadmitthattheusurpationofthattitlehadseemedtohimdangerous；hefearedtodiscouragehisaccomplice。

"Isawthatthewomanwasgoingtoproposeaconsultation，"hereplied，"andIgotoutofitthatway。"

"Goodness！"exclaimedMadameCardinal，"theysayfinemindscometogether；thatwasmydodge，too。Callingyoumymanofbusinessseemedtogivethatoldpilfererafewideas。Didtheyseeyoucomein，thoseporters？"

"Ithought，asIwentby，"repliedCerizet，"thatthewomanwasasleepinherchair。"

"Andwellshemightbe，"saidtheCardinal，significantly。

"What，really？"saidCerizet。

"Parbleu！"repliedthefishwife；"what’senoughforoneisenoughfortwo；therestofthestuffwentthatway。"

"Asforthehusband，hewasthere，"saidCerizet；"forhegavemeagracioussignofrecognition，whichIcouldhavedonewithout。"

"Waittillitisquitedark，andwe’llplayhimacomedythatshallfoolhimfinely。"

Accordingly，tenminuteslater，thefishwife，withavimthatdelightedtheusurer，organizedfortheinnocentporterthecomedyofaMONSIEURwhowouldnot，outofpoliteness，letheraccompanyhimtothedoor；sheherselfwithequalpolitenessinsisting。Appearingtoconducttheshamphysicianintothestreetgateshepretendedthatthewindhadblownoutofherlamp，andunderpretextofrelightingitsheputoutthatofPerrache。Allthisracket，accompaniedbyexclamationsandabewilderingloquacity，wassobrisklycarriedoutthattheporter，ifsummonedbeforethepolice—court，wouldnothavehesitatedtoswearthatthedoctor，whosearrivalhehadwitnessed，leftthehousebetweennineandteno’clock。

WhenthetwoaccompliceswerethusintranquilpossessionofthefieldofoperationsMadameCardinalhungupherrabbit’s—hairshawlbeforethewindowtoexcludeallpossibleindiscretiononthepartofaneighbor。IntheLuxembourgquarterlifequietsdownearly。Byteno’clockallthesoundsinthehouseaswellasthoseoutofdoorswerestilled，andCerizetdeclaredthatthemomenthadcometogotowork；

bybeginningatoncetheywerecertainthatthesleeperwouldremainundertheinfluenceofthedrug；besides，ifthebootywerefoundatonce，MadameCardinalcould，underpretenceofasuddenattackonherpatient，whichrequiredhertofetcharemedyfromtheapothecary，gettheportertoopenthestreetgateforherwithoutsuspicion。Asallporterspullthegate—cordfromtheirbeds，Cerizetwouldbeabletogetawayatthesametimewithoutnotice。

Powerfulinadvice，Cerizetwasaveryincapablehandinaction；and，withouttherobustassistanceofMereCardinalhecouldneverhaveliftedwhatmightalmostbecalledthecorpseoftheformerdrum—

major。Completelyinsensible，Toupillierwasnowaninertmass，adead—weight，whichcould，fortunately，behandledwithoutmuchprecaution，andtheathleticMadameCardinal，gatheringstrengthfromhercupidity，contrived，notwithstandingCerizet’sinsufficientassistance，toeffectthetransferofherunclefromonebedtotheother。

Onrummagingthebedfromwhichthebodywasmoved，nothingwasfound，andMadameCardinal，pressedbyCerizettoexplainwhyshehadconfidentlyassertedthatheruncle"waslyingononehundredthousandfrancsingold，"wasforcedtoadmitthatatalkwithMadamePerrache，andherownfervidimaginationwerethesolegroundsofhercertainty。

Cerizetwasfurious；havingforonewholedaydalliedwiththeideaandhopeoffortune，having，moreover，entereduponadangerousandcompromisingcourseofaction，onlytofindhimself，atthesuprememoment，facetofacewith——nothing！Thedisappointmentwassobitterthatifhehadnotbeenafraidofthemuscularstrengthofhisfuturemother—in—law，hewouldhaverusheduponherwithsomefranticintention。

Hisanger，however，spentitselfinwords。Harshlyabused，MadameCardinalcontentedherselfbyremarkingthatallhopewasnotlost，andthen，withafaiththatoughttohavemovedmountains，shesettoworktoemptythestrawfromthemattressshehadalreadyvainlyexploredinalldirections。ButCerizetwouldnotallowthatextrememeasure；heremarkedthataftertheautopsyofastrawmattresssuchdetrituswouldremainuponthefloorasmustinfalliblygiverisetosuspicion。ButtheCardinal，whothoughtthiscautionridiculous，wasdeterminedto，atleast，takeaparttheflockbedstead。Thepassionofthesearchgaveextraordinaryvigilancetohersenses，andassheraisedthewoodenside—framesheheardthefallofsometinyobjectonthefloor。Seizingthelightshebegantosearchinthemoundoffilthofallkindsthatwasunderthebed，andfinallylaidherhandonabitofpolishedsteelabouthalfaninchlong，theuseofwhichwastoherinexplicable。

"That’sakey！"criedCerizet，whowasstandingbesideherwithsomeindifference，butwhoseimaginationnowsetoffatagallop。

"Ha！ha！youseeIwasright，"criedtheCardinal。"Butwhatcanitopen？"sheadded，onreflection；"nothingbiggerthanadoll’shouse。"

"No，"saidCerizet，"itisamoderninvention，andverystronglockscanbeopenedwiththatlittleinstrument。"

Witharapidglancehetookinallthepiecesoffurnitureintheroom；wenttothebureauandpulledoutthedrawers；lookedinthestove，inthetable；butnowheredidhefindalocktowhichthelittlekeycouldbeadapted。

SuddenlytheCardinalhadaflashofillumination。

"Seehere！"shesaid。"Iremarkedthattheoldthief，ashelayonhisbed，nevertookhiseyesoffthewalljustoppositetohim。"

"Acupboardhiddeninthewall！"criedCerizet，seizingthelighteagerly；"itisnotimpossible！"

Examiningattentivelythedoorofthealcove，whichwasoppositethebed’shead，hecouldseenothingtherebutavastaccumulationofdustandspiders’webs。Henextemployedthesenseoftouch，andbegantorapandsoundthewallinalldirections。AtthespottowhichToupillier’sconstantgazewasdirectedhethoughtheperceivedinaverynarrowspaceaslightsonority，andhepresentlyperceivedthathewasrappingonwood。Hethenrubbedthespotvigorouslywithhishandkerchief，andbeneaththethicklayerofdustanddirtwhichhethusremovedhefoundapieceofoakplankcarefullyinsertedinthewall。Ononesideofthisplankwasasmallroundhole；itwasthatofthelockwhichthekeyfitted！

WhileCerizetwasturningthekey，whichworkedwithgreatdifficulty，MadameCardinal，holdingthelight，waspaleandbreathless；but，oh！

crueldeception！thecupboard，atlastunlockedandopen，showedonlyanemptyspace，intowhichthelightinherhandfelluselessly。

Allowingthisbacchantetogiveventtoherdespairbysalutinghermuch—belovedunclewiththeharshestepithets，Cerizetquietlyinsertedhisarmintothecupboard，andafterfeelingitoverattheback，hecriedout，"Anironsafe！"adding，impatiently，"Givememorelight，MadameCardinal。"

Then，asthelightdidnotpenetratetothedepthsofthecupboard，hesnatchedthecandlefromthebottle，where，indefaultofacandlestick，theCardinalhadstuckit，and，takingitinhishand，moveditcarefullyoverallpartsoftheironsafe，theexistenceofwhichwasnowacertainty。

"Thereisnovisiblelock，"hesaid。"Theremustbeasecretopening。"

"Isn’thesly，thatoldvillain！"exclaimedMadameCardinal，whileCerizet’sbonyfingersfeltthesideofthesafeoverminutely。

"Ha！"heexclaimed，aftergropingfortenminutes，"Ihaveit！"

DuringthistimeMadameCardinal’slifeseemedactuallysuspended。

UnderthepressurewhichCerizetnowapplied，theironsiderosequicklyintothethicknessofthewallabove，andinthemidstofamassofgoldthrownpell—mellintoalargeexcavationthatwasnowexposedtoview，layacaseofredmorocco，which，fromitssizeandappearance，gavepromiseofmagnificentbooty。

"Itakethediamondsformyself，"saidCerizet，whenhehadopenedthecaseandseenthesplendidjewelsitcontained；"youwon’tknowhowtogetridofthem。I’llleaveyouthegoldforyourshare。AsforthehouseandthemoneyintheFunds，theyarenotworththetroubleitwouldbetogettheoldfellowtomakeawill。"

"Notsofast，mylittleman！"repliedtheCardinal，whothoughtthisdecisionrathersummary；"wewillfirstcountthemoney——"

"Hush！"exclaimedCerizet，apparentlylisteningtoasound。

"Whatisit？"askedtheCardinal。

"Don’tyouhearsomeonemovingbelow？"

"No，Ihearnothing。"

Cerizet，makingherasigntobesilent，listenedattentively。

"Ihearasteponthestairs，"hesaid，amomentlater。

Thenhehastilyreplacedthemoroccocase，andmadedesperatebutunavailingeffortstolowerthepanel。

"Yes！"criedMadameCardinal，terrified；"someoneisreallycoming。"

Then，fasteningtoahopeofsafety，sheadded，"Idaresayitisthatinsanegirl；theysayshewalksatnight。"

Atanyrate，theinsanegirl（ifitwereshe）hadakeytotheroom，foramomentlater，thiskeywasinsertedinthelock。WitharapidglanceMadameCardinalmeasuredthedistancetothedoor；shouldshehavetimetopushthebolt？No；certainthatitwasthentoolate，sosheblewoutthecandletogiveherselfatleastsomechancesinthedarkness。

Uselesseffort！theintruderwhonowappearedhadbroughtacandlewithhim。

WhenMadameCerizetsawthatshehadtodowithasmall，oldmanofpunyappearance，sheflungherselfbeforehimwithflamingeyes，likealionessfromwhomthehunterisseekingtotakehercubs。

"Becalm，mygoodwoman，"saidthelittleman，inajeeringtone；"thepolicearesentfor；theywillbehereinamoment。"

Attheword"police"theCardinal’slegsgaveway。

"But，monsieur，"shesaid，"whythepolice？wearenotrobbers。"

"Nomatterforthat；ifIwereinyourplaceIshouldn’twaitforthem，"saidthelittleoldman；"theymakeunfortunatemistakessometimes。"

"CanIclearout？"askedthewoman，incredulously。

"Yes，ifyouemptyyourpocketsofanythingwhichhas，BYACCIDENT，gotintothem。"

"Oh！mygoodmonsieur，Ihaven’tathinginmyhandsormypockets；I

wasn’theretoharmanyone，——onlytonursemypoordearuncle；youcansearchme。"

"Come，beoffwithyou！thatwilldo，"saidtheoldman。

MadameCardinaldidnotobligehimtorepeattheorder，andsherapidlydisappeareddownthestaircase。

Cerizetmadeasthoughhewouldtakethesameroad。

"You，monsieur，arequiteanotherthing，"saidthelittleoldman。

"YouandImusttalktogether；butifyouaretractable，theaffairbetweenuscanbesettledamicably。"

Whetheritwasthatthenarcotichadceasedtooperate，orthatthenoisegoingonaboutToupillierputanendtohissleep，henowopenedhiseyesandcastaroundhimtheglanceofamanwhoendeavorstorememberwhereheis；then，seeinghispreciouscupboardopen，hefoundintheemotionthatsightproducedthestrengthtocryouttwoorthreetimes，"Help！help！robbers！"inavoicethatwasloudenoughtorousethehouse。

"No，Toupillier，"saidthelittleoldman；"youhavenotbeenrobbed；

Icamehereintimetopreventit；nothinghasbeentaken。"

"Whydon’tyouarrestthatvillain？"shoutedtheoldpauper，pointingtoCerizet。

"Monsieurisnotathief，"repliedtheoldman。"Onthecontrary，hecameupwithmetolendassistance。"Then，turningtoCerizet，headded，inalowvoice："Ithink，mygoodfriend，thatwehadbetterpostponetheinterviewIdesiretohavewithyouuntilto—morrow。Comeatteno’clocktotheadjoininghouse，andaskforMonsieurduPortail。Afterwhathaspassedthisevening，therewill，Ioughttowarnyou，besomedangertoyouinnotacceptingthisconference。I

shallfindyouelsewhere，infallibly；forIhavethehonortoknowwhoyouare；youarethemanwhomtheOppositionjournalswereaccustomedtocall’thecourageousCerizet。’"

Inspiteoftheprofoundsarcasmofthisremark，Cerizet，perceivingthathewasnottobetreatedmorerigorouslythanMadameCardinal，feltsopleasedwiththisconclusionthathepromised，veryreadily，tokeeptheappointment，andthenslippedawaywithallthehastehecould。

CHAPTERXVI

DUPORTAIL

ThenextdayCerizetdidnotfailtoappearattherendezvousgiventohim。Examined，atfirst，throughthewicketofthedoor，hewasadmitted，aftergivinghisname，intothehouse，andwasusheredimmediatelytothestudyofMonsieurduPortail，whomhefoundathisdesk。

Withoutrising，andmerelymakingasigntohisguesttotakeachair，thelittleoldmancontinuedtheletterhewasthenwriting。Aftersealingitwithwax，withacareandprecisionthatdenotedanatureextremelyfastidiousandparticular，orelseamanaccustomedtodischargediplomaticfunctions，duPortailrangforBruneau，hisvalet，andsaid，ashegavehimtheletter：——

"Forthejustice—of—peaceofthearrondissement。"

Thenhecarefullywipedthesteelpenhehadjustused，restoredtotheirplaces，symmetrically，allthedisplacedarticlesonhisdesk，anditwasonlywhentheselittlearrangementswerecompletedthatheturnedtoCerizet，andsaid：——

"Youknow，ofcourse，thatwelostthatpoorMonsieurToupillierlastnight？"

"No，really？"saidCerizet，puttingonthemostsympatheticairhecouldmanage。"Thisismyfirstknowledgeofit。"

"Butyouprobablyexpectedit。Whenonegivesadyingmananimmensebowlofhotwine，whichhasalsobeennarcotized，——forthePerrachewomansleptallnightinasortoflethargyafterdrinkingasmallglassofit，——itisevidentthatthecatastrophehasbeenhastened。"

"Iamignorant，monsieur，"saidCerizet，withdignity，"ofwhatMadameCardinalmayhavegiventoheruncle。Ihavenodoubtcommittedagreatpieceofthoughtlessnessinassistingthiswomantoobtainaninheritancetowhichsheassuredmeshehadlegalrights；butastoattemptingthelifeofthatoldpauper，Iamquiteincapableofsuchathing；nothingofthekindeverenteredmymind。"

"Youwrotemethisletter，Ithink，"saidduPortail，abruptly，takingfrombeneathabohemianglassbowlapaperwhichheofferedtoCerizet。

"Aletter？"repliedCerizet，withthehesitationofamanwhodoesn’tknowwhethertolieorspeakthetruth。

"IamquitesureofwhatIsay，"continuedduPortail。"Ihaveamaniaforautographs，andIpossessoneofyours，obtainedattheperiodwhentheOppositionexaltedyoutothegloriousrankofmartyr。Ihavecomparedthetwowritings，andIfindthatyoucertainlywroteme，yesterday，theletterwhichyouholdinyourhand，informingmeofthemoneyembarrassmentsofyounglaPeyradeatthepresentmoment。"

"Well，"saidCerizet，"knowingthatyouhadgivenahometoMademoiselledelaPeyrade，whoisprobablycousinofTheodose，I

thoughtIrecognizedinyouthemysteriousprotectorfromwhom，onmorethanoneoccasion，myfriendhasreceivedthemostgenerousassistance。Now，asIhaveasincereaffectionforthatpoorfellow，itwasinhisintereststhatIpermittedmyself——"

"Youdidquiteright，"interruptedduPortail。"IamdelightedtohavefalleninwithafriendoflaPeyrade。Ioughtnottoconcealfromyouthatitwasthisparticularfactwhichprotectedyoulastnight。Buttellme，whatisthisaboutnotesfortwenty—fivethousandfrancs？Isourfriendsobadlyoffinhisaffairs？Isheleadingadissipatedlife？"

"Onthecontrary，"repliedCerizet，"he’sapuritan。Giventothedeepestpiety，hedidnotchoosetotake，asabarrister，anyothercasesbutthoseofthepoor。Heisnowonthepointofmakingarichmarriage。"

"Ah！ishegoingtobemarried？andtowhom？"

"ToaDemoiselleColleville，daughterofthesecretaryofthemayorofthe12tharrondissement。Inherself，thegirlhasnofortune，butacertainMonsieurThuillier，hergodfather，memberoftheCouncil—

generaloftheSeine，haspromisedherasuitable’dot。’"

"Whohashandledthisaffair？"

"LaPeyradehasbeendevotedtotheThuillierfamily，intowhichhewasintroducedbyMonsieurDutocq，clerkofthejustice—of—peaceoftheirarrondissement。"

"ButyouwrotemethatthesenotesweresignedinfavorofMonsieurDutocq。Theaffairisabitofmatrimonialbrokerage，inshort？"

"Well，somethingofthatkind，"repliedCerizet。"Youknow，monsieur，thatinParissuchtransactionsareverycommon。Eventheclergywon’tdisdaintohaveafingerinthem。"

"Isthemarriageasettledthing？"

"Yes，andwithinthelastfewdaysespecially。"

"Well，mygoodsir，Irelyonyoutoputanendtoit。IhaveotherviewsforTheodose，——anothermarriagetoproposetohim。"

"Excuseme！"saidCerizet，"tobreakupthismarriagewouldmakeitimpossibleforhimtopayhisnotes；andIhavethehonortocallyourattentiontothefactthattheseparticularbillsofexchangeareseriousmatters。MonsieurDutocqisintheofficeofthejustice—of—

peace；inotherwords，hecouldn’tbeeasilydefeatedinsuchamatter。"

"ThedebttoMonsieurDutocqyoushallbuyoffyourself，"repliedduPortail。"Makearrangementswithhimtothateffect。ShouldTheodoseprovereluctanttocarryoutmyplans，thosenotesmaybecomeausefulweaponinourhands。Youwilltakeuponyourselftosuehimforthem，andyoushallhavenomoneyresponsibilityinthematter。IwillpayyoutheamountofthenotesforDutocq，andyourcostsinsuingTheodose。"

"Youaresquareinbusiness，monsieur，"saidCerizet。"There’ssomepleasureinbeingyouragent。Now，ifyouthinktherightmomenthascome，Ishouldbegladifyouwouldgivemesomebetterlightonthemissionyouaredoingmethehonortoplaceinmyhands。"

"Youspokejustnow，"repliedduPortail，"ofthecousinofTheodose，MademoiselleLydiedelaPeyrade。Thisyoungwoman，whoisnotinherfirstyouth，forsheisnearlythirty，isthenaturaldaughterofthecelebratedMademoiselleBeaumesniloftheTheatreFrancaisandPeyrade，thecommissary—generalofpoliceundertheEmpire，andtheuncleofourfriend。Untilhisdeath，whichoccurredsuddenly，leavinghisdaughter，whomhelovedtenderly，withoutmeansofsupport，Iwasboundtothatexcellentmanwiththewarmestfriendship。"

GladtoshowthathehadsomeknowledgeofduPortail’sinteriorlife，Cerizethastenedtoremark：——

"Andyouhavesecretlyfulfilledthedutiesofthatfriendship，monsieur；for，intakingintoyourhomethatinterestingorphanyouassumedadifficultguardianship。MademoiselledelaPeyrade’sstateofhealthrequires，Iamtold，acarenotonlyaffectionate，butpersevering。"

"Yes，"repliedduPortail，"thepoorgirl，afterthedeathofherfather，wassocruellytriedthathermindhasbeensomewhataffected；

butafortunatechangehaslatelyoccurredinhercondition，andonlyyesterdayIcalledinconsultationDoctorBianchonandthetwophysicians—in—chargeofBicetreandtheSalpetriere。Thesegentlemenunanimouslydeclarethatmarriageandthebirthofafirstchildwouldundoubtedlyrestorehertoperfecthealth。Youcanreadilyunderstandthattheremedyistooeasyandagreeablenottobeattempted。"

"Then，"saidCerizet，"itistoMademoiselleLydiedelaPeyrade，hiscousin，thatyouwishtomarryTheodose。"

"Youhavesaidit，"returnedduPortail，"andyoumustnotthinkthatouryoungfriend，ifheacceptsthemarriage，willbecalledupontoshowagratuitousdevotion。Lydieisveryagreeableinperson；shehastalents，acharmingdisposition，andshecanbringtobear，inherhusband’sinterest，astronginfluenceinpubliclife。Shehas，moreover，aprettyfortune，consistingofwhathermotherlefther，andofmyentireproperty，which，havingnoheirsmyself，Iintendtosecuretoherinthemarriagecontract。Besidesallthis，shehasthisverynightacquiredanotinconsiderablelegacy。"

"What！"exclaimedCerizet，"doyoumeanthatoldToupillier——"

"Byawillinhisownhandwriting，whichIhavehere，thatoldpauperconstitutesherhissolelegatee。Yousee，therefore，thatIshowedsomekindnessinnotproceedingagainstyouandMadameCardinalforyourlittleattemptlastnight；itwassimplyourpropertythatyouweretryingtopillage。"

"Heavens！"criedCerizet，"Iwon’tpretendtoexcuseMadameCardinal’smisconduct；andyet，asoneofthelegalheirs，dispossessedbyastranger，shehad，itseemstome，somerighttotheindulgencewhichyoucertainlyshowedtoher。"

"Inthatyouaremistaken，"saidduPortail；"theapparentliberalityoftheoldbeggartoMademoiselledelaPeyradehappenstobeonlyarestitution。"

"Arestitution！"exclaimedCerizet，inatoneofcuriosity。

"Arestitution，"repeatedduPortail，"andnothingiseasierthantoproveit。Doyouremembertherobberyofsomediamondsfromoneofourdramaticcelebritiesabouttenyearsago？"

"Yes，"repliedCerizet。"Iwasmanagerofoneofmynewspapersatthetime，andIusedtowritethe’Parisitems。’Butstay，Iremember，theactresswholostthemwasMademoiselleBeaumesnil。"

"Precisely；themotherofMademoiselledelaPeyrade。"

"Consequently，thismiserableoldToupillier——no，Irememberthatthethiefwasconvicted；hisnamewasCharlesCrochard。Itwassaid，undertherose，thathewasthenaturalsonofagreatpersonage，theComtedeGranville，attorney—generalundertheRestoration。"[See"ADoubleLife。"]

"Well，"saidduPortail，"thisishowithappened。TherobberywascommittedinahouseintheruedeTournon，occupiedbyMademoiselleBeaumesnil。CharlesCrochard，whowasahandsomefellow，wassaidtohavetherunofit——"

"Yes，yes，"criedCerizet，"IrememberMademoiselleBeaumesnil’sembarrassmentwhenshegavehertestimony——andalsothetotalextinctionofvoicethatattackedherwhenthejudgeaskedherage。"

"Therobbery，"continuedduPortail，"wasaudaciouslycommittedinthedaytime；andnosoonerdidCharlesCrochardgetpossessionofthecasketthanhewenttothechurchofSaint—Sulpice，wherehehadanappointmentwithanaccomplice，who，beingsuppliedwithapassport，wastostartimmediatelywiththediamondsforforeignparts。Itsochancedthatonenteringthechurch，insteadofmeetingthemanheexpected，whowasatriflelate，CharlesCrochardcamefacetofacewithacelebratedagentofthedetectiveforce，whowaswellknowntohim，inasmuchastheyoungrascalwasnotathisfirstscrimmagewiththepolice。Theabsenceofhisaccomplice，thisencounterwiththedetective，and，lastly，arapidmovementmadebythelatter，bythemerestchance，towardthedoor，inducedtherobbertofancyhewasbeingwatched。Losinghisheadunderthisidea，hewanted，atanycost，toputthecasketoutofhispossession，knowingthatifarrested，asheexpected，atthedoorofthechurch，itwouldbeadamningproofagainsthim。CatchingsightatthatmomentofToupillier，whowasthenthegiverofholywater，’Myman，’saidhe，makingsurethatnooneoverheardtheircolloquy，’willyoutakecareofthislittlepackageforme？Itisaboxoflace。Iamgoingnearbytoacountesswhoisslowtopayherbill；andifIhavethelacewithmeshe’llwanttoseeit，foritisanewstyle，andshe’llaskmetoleaveitwithheroncredit，insteadofpayingthebill；thereforeI

don’twanttotakeit。But，’headded，’besurenottotouchthepaperthatwrapsthebox，forthere’snothingharderthantodoupapackageinthesamefolds——’"

"Thebooby！"criedCerizet，naively；"why，thatverycautionwouldmakethemanwanttoopenit。"

"Youareanablecasuist，"saidduPortail。"Well，anhourlater，CharlesCrochard，findingthatnothinghappenedtohim，returnedtothechurchtoobtainhisdeposit，butToupillierwasnolongerthere。

YoucanimaginetheanxietywithwhichCharlesCrochardattendedearlymassthenextday，andapproachedthegiverofholywater，whowasthere，sureenough，attendingtohisfunctions。Butnight，theysay，bringscounsel；theworthybeggaraudaciouslydeclaredthathehadreceivednopackage，anddidnotknowwhathisinterlocutormeant。"

"Andtherewasnopossibilityofarguingwithhim，forthatwouldbeexposure，"remarkedCerizet，whowasnotfarfromsympathizinginatricksoboldlyplayed。

"Nodoubt，"resumedduPortail；"therobberywasalreadynoisedabout，andToupillier，whowasaveryablefellow，hadcalculatedthatCharlesCrochardwouldnotdaretopubliclyaccusehim，forthatwouldrevealthetheft。Infact，onhistrialCharlesCrochardneversaidawordofhismishap，andduringthesixyearshespentatthegalleys（hewascondemnedtoten，butfourwereremitted）hedidnotopenhislipstoasinglesoulaboutthetreacheryofwhichhehadbeenavictim。"

"Thatwasprettyplucky，"saidCerizet；thetaleexcitedhim，andheshowedopenlythathesawthematterasanartistandaconnoisseur。

"Inthatinterval，"continuedduPortail，"MadameBeaumesnildied，leavingherdaughterafewfragmentsofaoncegreatfortune，andthediamondswhichthewillexpresslystatedLydiewastoreceive’incasetheywererecovered。’"

"Ha！ha！"exclaimedCerizet，"badforToupillier，because，havingtodowithamanofyourcalibre——"