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.
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