ions of conscience, providing
he, himself, had not been injured by it. Still, the young fellow did
not allow his real feelings to appear on his face. First, it was not
his business to tell M. Fortunat his opinion of him; and in the second
place, he did not deem it an opportune moment for a declaration of his
sentiments. So, when his employer paused, he exclaimed: "Well, we must
outwit these scoundrels--for I'll join you, m'sieur; and I flatter
myself that I can be very useful to you. Do you want the particulars of
the viscount's past life? If so, I can furnish them. I know the brigand.
He's married, as I told you before, and I'll find his wife for you in a
few days. I don't know exactly where she lives, but she keeps a tobacco
store, somewhere, and that's enough. She'll tell you how much he's a
viscount. Ha! ha! Viscount just as much as I am--and no more. I can tell
you the scrapes he has been in."

"No doubt; but the most important thing is to know how he's living now,
and on what!"

"Not by honest work, I can tell you. But give me a little time, and
I'll find out for sure. As soon as I can go home, change my clothes,
and disguise myself, I'll start after him; and may I be hung, if I don't
return with a complete report before Tuesday."

A smile of satisfaction appeared on M. Fortunat's face. "Good, Victor!"
he said, approvingly, "very good! I see that you will serve me with your
usual zeal and intelligence. Rest assured that you will be rewarded as
you have never been rewarded before. As long as you are engaged in this
affair, you shall have ten francs a day; and I'll pay your board, your
cab-hire, and all your expenses."

This was a most liberal offer, and yet, far from seeming delighted,
Chupin gravely shook his head. "You know how I value money, m'sieur," he
began.

"Too much, Victor, my boy, too much----"

"Excuse me, it's because I have responsibilities, m'sieur. You know my
establishment"--he spoke this word with a grandiloquent air--"you have
seen my good mother--my expenses are heavy----"

"In short, you don't think I offer you enough?"

"On the contrary, sir--but you don't allow me to finish. I love money,
don't I? But no matter, I don't want to be paid for this business. I
don't want either my board or my expenses, not a penny--nothing. I'll
serve you, but for my own sake, for my own pleasure--gratis."

M. Fortunat could not restrain an exclamation of astonishment. Chupin,
who was as eager for gain