ntroduction to the head of the
First Department of the Prefecture of Police--two--who will put you in
communication with one of his clerks. You will settle with him about all
the important information--three--from the Prefecture, official and
quasi-official information, you know. In all matters of detail you will
apply to Saint-Potin, who is up in the work--four--You can see him
by-and-by, or to-morrow. You must, above all, cultivate the knack of
dragging information out of men I send you to see--five--and to get in
everywhere, in spite of closed doors--six--You will have for this a
salary of two hundred francs a month, with two sous a line for the
paragraphs you glean--seven--and two sous a line for all articles
written by you to order on different subjects--eight."

Then he gave himself up entirely to his occupation, and went on slowly
counting: "Nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen." He missed the
fourteenth, and swore, "Damn that thirteen, it always brings me bad
luck. I shall die on the thirteenth of some month, I am certain."

One of his colleagues who had finished his work also took a cup and ball
from the cupboard. He was a little man, who looked like a boy, although
he was really five-and-thirty. Several other journalists having come in,
went one after the other and got out the toy belonging to each of them.
Soon there were six standing side by side, with their backs to the wall,
swinging into the air, with even and regular motion, the balls of red,
yellow, and black, according to the wood they were made of. And a match
having begun, the two who were still working got up to act as umpires.
Forestier won by eleven points. Then the little man, with the juvenile
aspect, who had lost, rang for the messenger, and gave the order, "Nine
bocks." And they began to play again pending the arrival of these
refreshments.

Duroy drank a glass of beer with his new comrades, and then said to his
friend: "What am I to do now?"

"I have nothing for you to-day. You can go if you want to."

"And our--our--article, will it go in to-night?"

"Yes, but do not bother yourself about it; I will correct the proofs.
Write the continuation for to-morrow, and come here at three o'clock,
the same as to-day."

Duroy having shaken hands with everyone, without even knowing their
names, went down the magnificent staircase with a light heart and high
spirits.

IV

George Duroy slept badly, so excited was he by the wish to see hi