the hot-chestnut line. He ain't a bad one, is
Mascarin."

Tantaine curled his lip disdainfully. "Not a bad fellow, I dare say, as
long as you don't ask him for anything."

Toto was so surprised at hearing Tantaine abuse Mascarin, that he was
unable to utter a word.

"Ah, you may look surprised," continued the old man, "but when a man is
rolling in riches, and leaves an old friend to starve, then he is not
what I call a real good fellow. Now, Toto, you are a bright lad, and so
I don't mind letting you know that I am only waiting for a good chance
to drop Mascarin, and set up on my own account. Work for yourself, my
boy."

"I know that; but it is a good deal easier to say than to do."

"You have tried then?"

"Yes, I have; but I came to grief over it. You know all about it as well
as I do, for don't tell me you didn't hear every word I said that night
you were hunting up Caroline Schimmel. However, I'll tell you. One day
when I saw a lady who looked rather nervous get out of a cab, I followed
her. I was decently togged out, so I rang at the door. I was so sure
that I was going to make a haul that I would not have taken ninety-nine
francs for the hundred that I expected to make. Well, I rang, a girl
opened the door, and in I went. What an ass I made of myself! I found a
great brute of a man there, who thrashed me within an inch of my life,
and then kicked me downstairs. See, he made his mark rather more plainly
than I liked." And removing his cap, the boy showed several bruises
about his forehead.

During this conversation Tantaine and the lad had been walking slowly
up the Champs Elysees, and had by this time arrived just opposite M.
Gandelu's house, where Andre was at work. Tantaine sat down on a bench.

"Let us rest a bit," said he; "I am tired out; and now let me tell you,
my lad, that your tale only shows me that it is experience you want.
Now, I have any amount of that, and I was really the prime mover in most
of Mascarin's schemes. If I were to start on my own account, I should
be driving in my carriage in twelve months. The only thing against my
success is my age, for I am getting to be an old man. Why, even now I
have a matter in my hands that is simply splendid. I have had half the
money down, but I want a smart young fellow to pull it through."

"Why couldn't I be the smart young fellow?" asked Toto.

Tantaine shook his head. "You are as much too young as I am too old,"
answered he. "At your age you