\"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——\"