youths are coming out," thought Chupin. "I must keep my ears
open." And approaching the door, he dropped on one knee, and pretended
to be engaged in tying his shoestrings. This is one of the thousand
expedients adopted by spies and inquisitive people. And when a man is
foolish enough to tell his secrets in the street, he should at least be
wise enough to distrust the people near him who pretend to be absorbed
in something else; for in nine cases out of ten these persons are
listening to him, possibly for pay, or possibly from curiosity.

However, the young men whom Chupin was watching were far from suspecting
that they were under surveillance. M. Wilkie came out first, talking
very loud, as often happens when a man has just partaken of a good
dinner, and is blessed with an excellent digestion. "Come, Coralth,
my good fellow, you won't desert me in this way? I have a box for the
Varietes, and you must go with me. We'll see if Silly imitates Theresa
as perfectly as they say."

"But I have an appointment."

"Oh, well, let it wait. Come, viscount, is it agreed?"

"Ah, you do with me just as you like."

"Good! But, first of all let us take a glass of beer to finish our
cigars. And do you know whom you will find in my box?"

At this moment they passed, and Chupin rose to his feet. "Coralth," he
muttered, "Viscount de Coralth. He's not one of our clients. Let me see,
Coralth. This is certainly the first time I have ever heard the name.
Can it be that I'm mistaken? Impossible!"

The more he reflected, the more thoroughly he became convinced of the
accuracy of his first impression, consoling himself with the thought
that a name has but a slight significance after all. His preoccupation
had at least the advantage of shortening the time which he spent in
promenading to and fro, while the friends sat outside a cafe smoking and
drinking. It was still M. Wilkie who monopolized the conversation, while
his companion listened with his elbow resting on the table, occasionally
nodding his head in token of approbation. One thing that incensed Chupin
was that they loitered there, when one of them had a ticket for a box at
the theatre in his pocket.

"Idiots!" he growled; "they'll wait till the play's half over before
they go in. And then they'll let the doors slam behind them for the
express purpose of disturbing everybody. Fools, go!"

As if they had heard the command, they rose suddenly, and an instant
after they entered the Var