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Updated: June 3, 2025
"So be it," said Tantaine; "I am also directed to beg M. Paul not to leave this house, but to send for his luggage and remain here." Hortebise looked so much annoyed that Tantaine hastened to add: "Only as a temporary measure, for I am on the lookout for rooms for him now." Paul looked delighted at the idea of having a home of his own. "Good!" exclaimed the doctor merrily.
With a frank and genial smile Catenac obeyed; but in his heart were anger and an abject feeling of alarm. "What is it that is so important?" asked he. Mascarin had risen and locked the door. When he had resumed his seat he said, "The facts are very simple. Hortebise and I have decided to put our great plan into execution, which we have as yet only discussed generally with you.
The doctor knew better than this; but he smiled pleasantly, and said, "Perfectly so," exactly at the right moment. "Yes," continued the Countess, "my husband slipped on the stairs, and hurt himself very much. Our doctor says it is nothing; but then I put little faith in what doctors say." "I know that by experience, madame," replied Hortebise.
"Aha!" cried he, "I always said that our old friend Mascarin would make his mark in literature. As soon as his pen touches the paper the business man vanishes; we have no longer a collection of dry facts and proofs, but the stirring pages of a sensational novel." "Do you really consider that as a mere romance?" asked Hortebise. "It reads like one certainly; you must allow that."
"Listen to it, Hortebise, and you shall see how it is that I hold firmly, at the same time, both the Duke and Duchess of Champdoce, and Diana the Countess of Mussidan. Listen to me, Catenac, you who distrusted me, and were ready to play the traitor, and tell me if I do not grasp success in my strong right hand."
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."
Gold seemed to melt in her grasp like so much snow, and she never knew what became of the sums she lavished so profusely. Husband and wife had long been almost totally estranged, and led almost separate existences. Dr. Hortebise was well aware of this, in common with others who moved in society.
"Don't leave that lad alone," said Tantaine; "I will see about him to-morrow; meanwhile prepare him a little." "I comprehend," answered Hortebise; "my kind regards to that dear fellow, Perpignan." This Perpignan was well known some people said too well known in Paris. His real name was Isidore Crocheteau, and he had started life as a cook in a Palais Royal restaurant.
My own child has been my ruin!" The calmest of the conspirators was now the one who was generally the first to take alarm, and this was the genial Doctor Hortebise. When he recognized Lecoq, he had gently opened his locket and taken from it a small pellet of grayish-colored paste, and, holding it between his fingers, had waited until his leader should declare that all hope was gone.
"I will do so," answered Mascarin, adjusting his spectacles carefully; "but before doing so, I feel that I must give you a short account of the rise and progress of this association." At this statement Hortebise and Catenac sprang to their feet in surprise and terror. "Are you mad?" said they at length, with one voice. Mascarin shrugged his shoulders.
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