Part 24 (2/2)
”Rantaine, there are about fifteen paces between us. It is a nice distance. Remain where you are.”
”Very well,” said Rantaine. ”What do you want with me?”
”I! Oh, I have come to have a chat with you.”
Rantaine did not offer to move again. Sieur Clubin continued:
”You a.s.sa.s.sinated a coast-guardman just now.”
Rantaine lifted the flap of his hat, and replied:
”You have already done me the honour to mention it.”
”Exactly; but in terms less precise. I said a man: I say now, a coast-guardman. The man wore the number 619. He was the father of a family; leaves a wife and five children.”
”That is no doubt correct,” said Rantaine.
There was a momentary pause.
”They are picked men--those coast-guard people,” continued Clubin; ”almost all old sailors.”
”I have remarked,” said Rantaine, ”that people generally do leave a wife and five children.”
Sieur Clubin continued:
”Guess how much this revolver cost me?”
”It is a pretty tool,” said Rantaine.
”What do you guess it at?”
”I should guess it at a good deal.”
”It cost me one hundred and forty-four francs.”
”You must have bought that,” said Rantaine, ”at the shop in the Ruelle Coutanchez.”
Clubin continued:
”He did not cry out. The fall stopped his voice, no doubt.”
”Sieur Clubin, there will be a breeze to-night.”
”I am the only one in the secret.”
”Do you still stay at the Jean Auberge?”
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