rtin's
stamp always seek to get hold of, and whom they make, in their own
selfish interests, their first dupe.

When Rigou's little green chaise appeared, towards twelve o'clock, in
the broad avenue which skirts the river, Gaubertin, in cap, boots, and
jacket, was returning from the wharves. He hastened his steps,--feeling
very sure that Rigou's object in coming over could only be "the great
affair."

"Good morning, gendarme; good morning, paunch of gall and wisdom," he
said, giving a little slap to the stomachs of his two visitors. "We have
business to talk over, and, faith! we'll do it glass in hand; that's the
true way to take things."

"If you do your business that way, you ought to be fatter than you are,"
said Rigou.

"I work too hard; I'm not like you two, confined to the house and
bewitched there, like old dotards. Well, well, after all that's the best
way; you can do your business comfortably in an arm-chair, with your
back to the fire and your belly at table; custom goes to you, I have to
go after it. But now, come in, come in! the house is yours for the time
you stay."

A servant, in blue livery edged with scarlet, took the horse by the
bridle and led him into the courtyard, where were the offices and the
stable.

Gaubertin left his guests to walk about the garden for a moment, while
he went to give his orders and arrange about the breakfast.

"Well, my wolves," he said, as he returned, rubbing his hands, "the
gendarmerie of Soulanges were seen this morning at daybreak, marching
towards Conches; no doubt they mean to arrest the peasants for
depredations; ha, ha! things are getting warm, warm! By this time," he
added, looking at his watch, "those fellows may have been arrested."

"Probably," said Rigou.

"Well, what do you all say over there? Has anything been decided?"

"What is there to decide?" asked Rigou. "We have no part in it," he
added, looking at Soudry.

"How do you mean nothing to decide? If Les Aigues is sold as the result
of our coalition, who is to gain five or six hundred thousand francs
out of it? Do you expect me to, all alone? No, my inside is not strong
enough to split up two millions, with three children to establish, and a
wife who hasn't the first idea about the value of money; no, I must have
associates. Here's the gendarme, he has plenty of funds all ready. I
know he doesn't hold a single mortgage that isn't ready to mature; he
only lends now on notes at sight of which I