Part 30 (1/2)

XIII

JUVE'S STRATAGEM

Whilst Jerome Fandor was commencing his apprentices.h.i.+p as a soldier at the Saint Benoit barracks, Verdun, a sordid individual was following an elegant pedestrian who, descending the rue Solferino, went in the direction of the Seine. It was about seven in the evening.

”Pstt!”

This sound issued from the ragged individual, but the pa.s.ser-by did not turn his head.

”Monsieur!” insisted the sordid one.

As the elegant pedestrian did not seem to know he was being followed, the sordid individual stepped to his side, and murmured in his white beard distinctly enough to be heard:

”Lieutenant! Do listen!... Look here, Monsieur de Loubersac ...

Henri!”

The young man turned: he gave the importunate speaker a withering stare: he was furious.

The speaker was Vagualame.

”I shall fine you five hundred francs! How dare you accost me like this? Are you mad?” De Loubersac's voice shook with rage.

Lieutenant de Loubersac had just quitted the Second Bureau after an unusually hard day's work. Fatigued by the over-heated offices, he was enjoying the fresh air and exercise in spite of the chilling mist overhanging Paris. When his thoughts were not connected on his work, he would dwell tenderly on every little detail of his meetings with pretty Mademoiselle de Naarboveck. Had she not given him permission to call her Wilhelmine, and did he not cherish the hope of soon making her his wife?

But this Vagualame was insupportable! That he should dare to accost him without observing the customary precautions--hail him by his style and t.i.tle in a most public thoroughfare---should so imprudently compromise himself and an attache of the Second Bureau! Well, he knew how to attack informers and such gentry in their most vulnerable spot--their purse; hence the fine of five hundred francs he had imposed on Vagualame!

The old fellow shuffled along beside the enraged lieutenant, whining, complaining of the precarious state of his finances, but de Loubersac was adamant. Perceiving this, Vagualame desisted.

”I want to talk to you,” said he.

”To-morrow!” suggested de Loubersac.

”No, at once. It is urgent.”

De Loubersac could hardly hear what Vagualame said. Twice he cried, in an irritated voice:

”What is the matter with you? I cannot understand what you say. I can hardly hear you.”

”I have a severe cold on the chest, lieutenant.”

Certainly Vagualame's voice was remarkably hoa.r.s.e.

”If the Government does not give me something regular to live on, I shall die in hospital.”

De Loubersac looked about him anxiously. If his colonel should catch sight of him conferring with an agent so near the headquarters of the Second Bureau he would incur a sharp reprimand. The interview must take place; therefore they must conceal themselves. Vagualame, as though reading the lieutenant's thought, pointed to the steep flight of steps leading to the banks of the Seine.

”Let us go down by the river! We shall be undisturbed there!”

De Loubersac acquiesced. So the smart young officer and the old beggar in his ragged coat, with the accordion hanging over his shoulder, who might have been mistaken for Quasimodo himself, descended the steps in company. Vagualame's eyes gleamed with joy. They were piercing eyes, full of life and intelligence, not the fierce furtive eyes of Vagualame, for this Vagualame was Juve!