e his intelligence and industry as he chose, but M. Fortunat did
not like his subordinates to make any money except through him. Hence
his approval, in the present instance, was so remarkable that it
awakened Chupin's suspicions. "I shall make a few sous, probably," he
modestly replied, "a trifle to aid my good mother in keeping the pot
boiling."

"So much the better, my boy," said M. Fortunat. "I like to see money
gained by those who make a good use of it. And to prove this, I'm
about to employ you in an affair which will pay you handsomely if you
prosecute it successfully."

Chupin's eyes brightened at first but grew dark a moment afterward, for
delight had been quickly followed by a feeling of distrust. He thought
it exceedingly strange that an employer should take the trouble to climb
to a sixth floor merely for the purpose of conferring a favor on his
clerk. There must be something behind all this; and so it behove him to
keep his eyes open. However, he knew how to conceal his real feelings;
and it was with a joyous air that he exclaimed: "Eh! What? Money? Now?
What must I do to earn it?"

"Oh! a mere trifle," replied the agent; "almost nothing, indeed." And
drawing his chair nearer to the bed on which his employee was seated,
he added: "But first, one question, Victor. By the way in which a woman
looks at a young man in the street, at the theatre or anywhere--would
you know if she were watching her son?"

Chupin shrugged his shoulders. "What a question!" he retorted.
"Nonsense! monsieur, it would be impossible to deceive me. I should only
have to remember my mother's eyes when I return home in the evening.
Poor woman! although she's half blind, she sees me--and if you wish
to make her happy, you've only to tell her I'm the handsomest and most
amiable youth in Paris."

M. Fortunat could not refrain from rubbing his hands, so delighted was
he to see his idea so perfectly understood and so admirably expressed.
"Good!" he declared; "very good! That's intelligence, if I am any judge.
I have not been deceived in you, Victor."

Victor was on fire with curiosity. "What am I to do, monsieur?" he asked
eagerly.

"This: you must follow a woman whom I shall point out to you, follow her
everywhere without once losing sight of her, and so skilfully as not to
let her suspect it. You must watch her every glance, and when her eyes
tell you that she is looking at her son, your task will be nearly over.
You will then only h