During the holidays
M. Patterson kept the boy with him, refusing him nothing in the
way of pleasure, granting all his wishes, but never losing sight
of him for a moment. And if Wilkie complained of this constant
watchfulness, M. Patterson always replied, "I must obey orders;"
and this answer invariably put an end to the discussion.
So things went on until it became time for Wilkie to take his
degree. He presented himself for examination; and, of course, he
failed. Fortunately, however, M. Patterson was not at a loss for
an expedient. He placed his charge in a private school; and the
following year, at a cost of five thousand francs, he beguiled a
poor devil into running the risk of three years' imprisonment, by
assuming M. Wilkie's name, and passing the examination in his
place. In possession of the precious diploma which opens the door
of every career, M. Wilkie now hoped that his pockets would be
filled, and that he would then be set at liberty. But the hope
was vain! M. Patterson placed him in the hands of an old tutor who
had been engaged to travel with him through Europe; and as this
tutor held the purse-strings, Wilkie was obliged to follow him
through Germany, England, and Italy.
When he returned to Paris he was just twenty years old, and the
very next day M. Patterson conducted him to the suite of rooms
which he still occupied in the Rue du Helder.
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