reation without even asking if it suits your
convenience. If it hadn't been for you, I should have missed a dinner
with some very charming ladies. But, above all, don't loiter on the way.
I don't mind paying your omnibus fare if you like. And you heard him say
there would be an answer. You can give it to Moulinet, and in exchange,
he'll give you fifteen sous for your trouble, and six sous for your
omnibus fare. Besides, if you can extract anything from the party the
letter's intended for, you are quite welcome to it."

"Agreed, sir! Grant me time enough to give an answer to the lady who is
waiting at the Madeleine, and I'm on my way. Give me the letter."

"Here it is," said the valet, handing it to Chupin. But as the latter
glanced at the address he turned deadly pale, and his eyes almost
started from their sockets. For this is what he read: "Madame Paul.
Dealer in Tobacco. Quai de la Seine." Great as was his self-control, his
emotion was too evident to escape notice. "What's the matter with you?"
asked the concierge and the valet in the same breath. "What has happened
to you?"

A powerful effort of will restored this young fellow's coolness, and
ready in an instant with an excuse for his blunder, he replied, "I have
changed my mind. What! you'd only give me fifteen sous to measure such a
distance as that! Why, it isn't a walk--it's a journey!"

His explanation was accepted without demur. His listeners thought he
was only taking advantage of the need they had of his services--as
was perfectly natural under the circumstances. "What! So you are
dissatisfied!" cried the valet. "Very well! you shall have thirty
sous--but be off!"

"So I will, at once," replied Chupin. And, imitating the whistle of a
locomotive with wonderful perfection, he darted away at a pace which
augured a speedy return.

However, when he was some twenty yards from the house he stopped short,
glanced around him, and espying a dark corner slipped into it. "That
fool in the red waistcoat will be coming out to take the letter to that
famous baroness," he thought. "I'm here, and I'll watch him and see
where he goes. I should like to find out the name of the kind and
charitable lady who watches over his brigand of a master with such
tender care."

The day and the hour were in his favor. Night was coming on, hastened by
a thick fog; the street lamps were not yet lighted, and as it was Sunday
most of the shops were closed. It grew dark so rapidly that