"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——"