In his
youth he had seen many strange things, and acquired a knowledge of
life that would have put the experience of a philosopher to shame.
But he was not fit to cope with M. Fortunat, who had an immense
advantage over him, by reason of his position of employer, as well
as by his fortune and education. So Chupin was both bewildered
and disconcerted by the cool arguments his patron brought forward;
and what most effectually allayed his suspicions was the small
compensation offered for the work--merely forty or fifty francs.
"Small potatoes, upon my word!" he thought. "Just the price of an
honest service; he would have offered more for a piece of
rascality." So, after considering a moment, he said, aloud: "Very
well; I'm your man, m'sieur."
M. Fortunat was secretly laughing at the success of his ruse.
Having come with the intention of offering his agent a handsome
sum, he was agreeably surprised to find that Chupin's scruples
would enable him to save his money. "If I hadn't found you
engaged in study, Victor," he said, "I should have thought you had
been drinking. What venomous insect stung you so suddenly?
Haven't I confided similar undertakings to you twenty times since
you have been in my employment? Who ransacked Paris to find
certain debtors who were concealing themselves? Who discovered the
Vantrassons for me? Victor Chupin. Very well. Then allow me to
say that I see nothing in this case in any way differing from the
others, nor can I understand why this should be wrong, if the
others were not.
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