Fortunat, and flattered by the attention which
such a well-dressed gentleman paid to his chatter, the landlord of
the house mentioned the names of all the visitors he knew. And he
knew a good number of them, for the coachmen came to his shop for
refreshments when their masters were spending the night in play at
Madame d'Argeles's house. So he was able to name the Viscount de
Coralth, who dashed up to the door in a two-horse phaeton, as well
as Baron Trigault, who came on foot, for exercise, puffing and
blowing like a seal. The wine-vendor, moreover, told his
customers that Madame d'Argeles never went out before half-past
two or three o'clock, and then always in a carriage--a piece of
information which must have troubled Chupin; for, as soon as the
landlord had left them to serve some other customers, he leant
forward and said to M. Fortunat: "Did you hear that? How is it
possible to track a person who's in a carriage?"
"By following in another vehicle, of course."
"Certainly, m'sieur; that's as clear as daylight. But that isn't
the question. The point is this: How can one watch the face of a
person who turns her back to you? I must see this woman's face to
know whom she looks at, and how."
This objection, grave as it appeared, did not seem to disturb M.
Fortunat. "Don't worry about that, Victor," he replied. "Under
such circumstances, a mother wouldn't try to see her son from a
rapidly moving carriage.
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