Volume III Part 24 (1/2)

”On my word, there is no one but Frank could have such ideas.”

”I proposed, then, my savings as a guarantee to the master locksmith, so that he might give me work. 'I am not a banker, to take money on interest,'

said he. 'I do not wish convicts in my shop; I work in houses, open the doors the keys of which are lost; my trade is a confidential one, and if it were known that I had a convict among my workmen, I should lose my customers. Goodnight, neighbor.' Did he not, Cardillac, get what he deserved?”

”Most certainly.”

”Childis.h.!.+” added the Cripple, addressing Frank in a paternal manner, ”instead of tearing your ticket at once, and coming to Paris to fritter away your savings, so as to be without a sou in your pocket, and compelled to rob. Then one finds superb ideas.”

”You tell me always the old story,” said Frank, with impatience; ”it is true, I was wrong not to spend my money, since I have not enjoyed it. As there were only four locksmiths at Etampes, he to whom I had first spoken had blabbed; when I addressed myself to the others, they told me the same as their fellow. Thank you; everywhere the same song. So you see, friends, where is the use? We are marked for life! Behold me on a strike in the streets of Etampes! I lived on my money for two months,” said Frank; ”the money went, and no work came. I broke my leave. I left Etampes.”

”That's what you should have done before.”

”I came to Paris; then I found some work; my master did not know who I was.

I told him I came from the country. There was no better workman than myself. I placed 700 francs, which remained of my savings, with a broker, who gave me a note; when it fell due, he did not pay; I placed my note in the hands of an attorney, who sued and recovered; I left my money with him, and I said to myself, 'It is for a rainy day.' Then I met the Big Cripple.”

”Yes, pals, and I was his rainy day, as you will see. Frank was a locksmith; he manufactured keys; I had an affair in which he could serve me; I proposed it to him; I had impressions; he had only to copy them. The lad refused; he wished to become honest; I said to myself, 'I must do him good in spite of himself.' I wrote a letter, without a signature, to his master, another to his companions, to inform them that Frank was a released convict. The master turned him out of doors, and his companions turned their backs upon him. He went to another master; worked there a week; same game. If he had gone to ten more I would have served him the same.”

”I did not then suspect that it was you who denounced me,” said Frank, ”otherwise you might have had it hot!”

”Yes; but I was no fool; I told you I was going to Longjumeau to see my uncle; but I remained at Paris; and I knew all you did through little Ledru.”

”In short, they drove me away from my last master like a beggar, fit only to hang. Work then! be peaceable! so that one may say to you, not, What are you doing? but, What have you done? Once in the street, I said to myself, 'Happily I have my money left.' I went to the attorney; he had cleared out-my money was gone--I was without a you. I had not enough to pay my week's rent. You ought to have seen my rage! Thereupon Big Cripple pretended to arrive from Longjumeau; he profited by my anger. I did not know on what peg to hang myself. I saw there was no means to be honest; that, once a robber, one was in for it for life! the Cripple kept so close at my heels.”

”Let Frank scold no more,” said the Cripple, ”he took his part boldly; he entered into the put-up thing; it promised great things. Unfortunately, the moment we opened our mouths to swallow the morsel--nabbed by the police!

What would you, it is a misfortune. The trade would be too fine without this.”

”I don't care. If that confounded lawyer had not robbed me, I should not be here,” said Frank, with rage.

”The Skeleton is here!” said Cardillac, pointing out the provost, who had just appeared at the door, to his companion.

”Cadet, advance at the call!” said Skeleton to the Cripple.

”Here!” he answered, advancing into the hall, accompanied by Frank, whom he took by the arm. During the conversation of Cripple, Frank and Cardillac, Barbillon had gone, by orders of the provost, to recruit twelve or fifteen prisoners, picked men. These, not to excite the suspicions of the keeper, had gone separately to the hall. The other prisoners remained in the yard; some of them, following the instructions of Barbillon, spoke in a loud, quarrelsome tone, to attract the notice of the keeper, and thus call his attention away from the hall, where were soon a.s.sembled Barbillon, Nicholas, Frank, Cardillac, Big Cripple, the Skeleton, and some fifteen other prisoners, all waiting with impatient curiosity until the provost should take the chair. Barbillon, charged as spy to announce the approach of the superintendent, placed himself near the door. The Skeleton, taking his pipe from his mouth, said to the Big Cripple:

”Do you know a young man named Germain, with blue eyes, brown hair, and the air of a swell cove?”

”Germain here!” cried Cripple, whose features expressed at once surprise, hatred, anger.

”You do know him, then?”

”Don't I know him? My friend, I denounce him, he is a betrayer! he must be rolled up!”

”Yes, yes!” said the prisoners together.

”Is it very sure that he has denounced?” asked Frank. ”Suppose you should be mistaken, and injure a man who does not deserve it?”

This observation displeased the Skeleton, who leaned toward the Cripple, and whispered:

”Who is this?”