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"Now," said the strange gentleman, "you see the futility of your attempts. La Candele knew you at once. I wished to speak to you; so I sent for Palot, one of my men, and instructed him to pick a quarrel with you. The policemen arrested you, and we have met without any one being at all the wiser. Be kind enough to efface my little corrections, as they will be noticed in the street."
I have entered into a contract with a wealthy builder, named Candele, to execute the outside decorations of his house." "Never mind that," answered M. de Breulh; "take as long as you like." Of course, after this, Andre could offer no further opposition; he therefore took the money without another word.
Mascarin paid no heed to this, so occupied was he by his own thoughts. "This young artist seems to have more brains than the rest of the set, but woe to him if he crosses my path. Go back to the outer office, Beaumarchef, I hear some clients coming in." The man, however, did not obey. "Pardon me, sir," said he, "but La Candele, who is outside, will see them. I have my report to make." "Very good.
I admit that a first attempt is always to be looked on leniently; but it did not deceive La Candele, and even at this distance I can plainly see your whole makeup; and what I can see, of course, is patent to others." He rose from his seat, and came closer to Andre. "Why on earth," asked he, "should you daub all this color on your face, which makes you look like an Indian warrior in his war-paint?
It is only forty-eight hours since I heard of you for the first time, and I have already your biography in my pocket. I hear that the day before yesterday you were dining with M. de Breulh-Faverlay, and that this morning you were walking with young Gandelu, and that La Candele was following you like a shadow. These are all facts, but "
"Now, you unbeliever," cried Mascarin gaily, "is not fortune within our grasp? Tantaine and Mascarin are dead, or rather, they never existed. Beaumarchef is on his way to America, La Candele will be in London in a week, and now we may enjoy our millions." "Heaven grant it," said the doctor piously.
I fear that I cannot look for too much from my companions, Catenac and Hortebise; I have up to now kept them back. Croisenois would never betray me, and as for Beaumarchef, La Candele, Toto Chupin, and a few other poor devils, they would be a fine haul for the police. They couldn't split, simply because they know nothing."
Before twenty-four hours have elapsed I must know everything as to the habits and disposition of Gandelu senior. I want to know on what terms he is with his son." "Good. I will set La Candele to work." "And as the young fellow will doubtless need money, contrive to let him know of our friend Verminet, the chairman of the Mutual Loan Society." "But that is M. Tantaine's business."
La Candele and the others must not recognize in you the wine-shop bully; that would spoil all. What have you on under that blouse, a commissionaire's dress? "That will do; now change the face."
"I met La Candele on his way from the Place de Petit Pont, and he has just seen that young girl you know whom I mean driving off in a two-horse Victoria. He followed it, of course. She has been placed in a gorgeous apartment in the Rue Douai; and from what the porter says, she must be a rare beauty; and La Candele raved about her, and says that she has the most magnificent eyes in the world."
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