y believe this, so he continued, more gayly: "Fortunately,
I shall retrieve my losses to-morrow, at Vincennes. Shall we see you
there?"

"Probably."

"Then good-by, until to-morrow."

"Until to-morrow."

Thereupon they shook hands, and each departed on his way.

Chupin had not lost a word of this conversation. "Valorsay a
millionaire!" he said to himself. "That's good! Ah, well! now I know
my little gamecock's name, and I also know that he goes to the races.
Wilkie that must be an English name; I like the name of d'Argeles
better. But where the devil is he going now?"

M. Wilkie had simply paused to replenish his cigar-case at the tobacco
office of the Grand Hotel; and, after lighting a cigar, he came out
again, and walked up the boulevard in the direction of the Faubourg
Montmartre. He was no longer in a hurry now; he strolled along in view
of killing time, displaying his charms, and staring impudently at every
woman who passed. With his shoulders drawn up on a level with his ears,
and his chest thrown back, he dragged his feet after him as if his
limbs were half paralyzed; he was indeed doing his best to create the
impression that he was used up, exhausted, broken down by excesses and
dissipation. For that is the fashion--the latest fancy--chic!

"Will you never have done?" growled Chupin.

"You shall pay for this, you little wretch!" He was so indignant that
the gamin element in his nature stirred again under his fine broadcloth,
and he had a wild longing to throw stones at M. Wilkie. He would
certainly have trodden on his heels, and have picked a quarrel with him,
had it not been for a fear of failing in his mission, and thereby losing
his promised reward.

He followed his man closely, for the crowd was very great. Light was
coming on, and the gas was lit on all sides. The weather was very mild,
and there was not an unoccupied table in front of the cafes, for it was
now the absinthe hour. How does it happen that every evening, between
five and seven o'clock, every one in Paris who is known--who is somebody
or something--can be found between the Passage de l'Opera and the
Passage Jouffroy? Hereabout you may hear all the latest news and gossip
of the fashionable world, the last political canards--all the incidents
of Parisian life which will be recorded by the papers on the following
morning. You may learn the price of stocks, and obtain tips for
to-morrow's Bourse; ascertain how much Mademoiselle A's neckl