rth, and
of the importance you attach to seeing me deprived of my weapons--I will
never forget it.

"At all times and for ever I shall be at your service, but instead of
saying with Robert Macaire, 'Let us embrace!' I embrace you."

He seized Corentin round the middle so suddenly that the other could not
avoid the hug; he clutched him to his heart like a doll, kissed him on
both cheeks, carried him like a feather with one hand, while with the
other he opened the door, and then set him down outside, quite battered
by this rough treatment.

"Good-bye, my dear fellow," said Jacques Collin in a low voice, and in
Corentin's ear: "the length of three corpses parts you from me; we have
measured swords, they are of the same temper and the same length. Let us
treat each other with due respect; but I mean to be your equal, not
your subordinate. Armed as you would be, it strikes me you would be too
dangerous a general for your lieutenant. We will place a grave between
us. Woe to you if you come over on to my territory!

"You call yourself the State, as footmen call themselves by their
master's names. For my part, I will call myself Justice. We shall often
meet; let us treat each other with dignity and propriety--all the more
because we shall always remain--atrocious blackguards," he added in a
whisper. "I set you the example by embracing you----"

Corentin stood nonplussed for the first time in his life, and allowed
his terrible antagonist to wring his hand.

"If so," said he, "I think it will be to our interest on both sides to
remain chums."

"We shall be stronger each on our own side, but at the same time more
dangerous," added Jacques Collin in an undertone. "And you will allow me
to call on you to-morrow to ask for some pledge of our agreement."

"Well, well," said Corentin amiably, "you are taking the case out of my
hands to place it in those of the public prosecutor. You will help
him to promotion; but I cannot but own to you that you are acting
wisely.--Bibi-Lupin is too well known; he has served his turn; if you
get his place, you will have the only situation that suits you. I am
delighted to see you in it--on my honor----"

"Till our next meeting, very soon," said Jacques Collin.

On turning round, _Trompe-la-Mort_ saw the public prosecutor sitting at
his table, his head resting on his hands.

"Do you mean that you can save the Comtesse de Serizy from going mad?"
asked Monsieur de Granville.

"In five minu