Volume Ii Part 66 (2/2)
”Tell me what you have done.”
”I easily found the widow Tourniquoi's house; and there I recognized the Jacqueline I saw yesterday; the little boy was playing in the yard.”
”Well?”
”I presented myself in my best clothes; a fine outside inspires more confidence.”
”You did well.”
”And yet, when I told that woman that I came from the Baronne de Mortagne, who wanted her to bring her son to her, she wouldn't believe me; she was suspicious. But the three hundred francs in gold soon scattered all her doubts. When I told her further that the baroness would pay her in full for all the time she had kept the child, and that at three hundred and sixty francs a year for eight years she'd get near three thousand francs--Gad! then it was not joy, it was delirium!--I told her that she must go to Dieppe right away with young Emile. She would have started for China to get her three thousand francs! I gave her the address that you gave me, and she began to pack up at once.”
”When does she start?”
”To-night, on the eight o'clock train. She goes to Paris, and from there to Dieppe at the double quick; she'll be there to-morrow.”
”That is good--very good! Now my mind is at rest in that direction.”
”It seems to me that I managed the affair rather well.”
”Yes; but there's another affair, which you must manage as well.”
”Tell us about it; while my hand is in, it won't cost any more!”
”Monsieur Luminot and Edmond are to fight at eight o'clock to-morrow morning.”
”Ah! the famous duel is to come off! Well?”
”It is to be in a little wood, some distance from here, at the other side of the village. I am confident that Edmond will not have mentioned the duel to the two women at the little house yonder.”
”Probably not; he wouldn't want to frighten them.”
”Now listen: can you swim?”
”Like a gudgeon. Why?”
”To-morrow morning, at eight o'clock--or a little before eight--you will be on the sh.o.r.e of the Marne, near the bridge that crosses to Gournay.”
”I know the place, for I have gone in that direction on my promenades.”
”Then you know how deserted that neighborhood is. One often walks there a whole day without meeting a living soul.”
”Well? let us come to the point!”
”You will have a small boat in readiness; you say yourself that with money one can obtain whatever one wants.”
”You give me money enough and I will have a boat; that doesn't embarra.s.s me.”
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