He was the very same man who had answered Mademoiselle
Marguerite's questions so rudely; but Chupin had a way of
conciliating even the most crabbish doorkeeper, and of drawing
from him such information as he desired. He learned that at nine
o'clock on the sixteenth of October Madame Ferailleur, after
seeing her trunks securely strapped on to a cab had entered the
vehicle, ordering the driver to take her to the Railway Station in
the Place du Havre! Chupin wished to ascertain the number of the
cab, but the concierge could not give it. He mentioned, however,
that this cab had been procured by Madame Ferailleur's servant-
woman, who lived only a few steps from the house. A moment later
Chupin was knocking at this woman's door. She was a very worthy
person, and bitterly regretted the misfortunes which had befallen
her former employers. She confirmed the doorkeeper's story, but
unfortunately she, too, had quite forgotten the number of the
vehicle. All she could say was that she had hired it at the cab
stand in the Rue Soufflot, and that the driver was a portly,
pleasant-faced man.
Chupin repaired at once to the Rue Soufflot, where he found the
man in charge of the stand in the most savage mood imaginable. He
began by asking Chupin what right he had to question him, why he
wished to do so, and if he took him for a spy. He added that his
duty only consisted in noting the arrivals and departures of the
drivers, and that he could give no information whatever.
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