She secretly
watches over him, however--she provides him with money, and every
day she finds some way of seeing him. Now, it is to my interest
to find this son."
Chupin's mobile face became actually threatening in its
expression; he frowned darkly, and his lips quivered. Still this
did not prevent M. Fortunat from adding, with the assurance of a
man who does not even suspect the possibility of a refusal: "Now,
when shall we set about our task?"
"Never!" cried Chupin, violently; and, rising, he continued: "No!
I wouldn't let my good mother eat bread earned in that way--it
would strangle her! Turn spy! I? Thanks--some one else may have
the job!" He had become as red as a turkey-cock, and such was his
indignation that he forgot his accustomed reserve and the caution
with which he had so far concealed his antecedents. "I know this
game--I've tried it!" he went on, vehemently. "One might as well
take one's ticket to prison by a direct road. I should be there
now if it hadn't been for Monsieur Andre. I was thirsting for
gold, and, like the brigand that I was, I should have killed the
man; but in revenge he drew me from the mire and placed my feet on
solid ground once more. And now, shall I go back to my vile
tricks again? Why, I'd rather cut my leg off! I'm to hunt down
this poor woman--I'm to discover her secret so that you may extort
money from her, am I? No, not I! I should like to be rich, and I
shall be rich; but I'll make my money honestly.
Pages:
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371