Excerpt
CHAPTER I. PUNISHMENT.
We will again conduct the reader into the study of Jacques Ferrand. Availing ourselves of the loquacity of the clerks, we shall endeavour, through their instrumentality, to narrate the events that had occurred since the disappearance of Cecily.
"A hundred sous to ten, if his present state continues, that in less than a month our governor will go off with a pop."
"The fact is, since Cecily left, he is only skin and bones."
"And now he takes to the priests again more than ever."
"The curé of the parish is a most respectable man, and I overheard him say yesterday, to another priest who accompanied him, 'It is admirable! M. Jacques Ferrand is the personification of charity.'"
"Well, then, when the curé declares a thing one must credit it; and yet to believe that the governor is charitable is almost beyond my belief."
"Remember the forty sous for our breakfast."
"Yes, but then the head clerk says that three days ago the governor realised a large sum in the funds, and that he is about to sell his business."
"Well, no doubt he has the means to retire."
"He has speculated on the Bourse, and gained lots of money."
"What astonishes me is this friend who follows him like his shadow."
"Yes, he does not leave M. Ferrand for a moment; they eat together, and seem as if they were inseparable."
"It seems to me as if I had seen this intruder somewhere!"
"Have you not remarked that every two hours there comes a man with large light moustaches, with a military air, who inquires for the intruder of the porter? This friend then goes down-stairs, discourses for a moment with the hero with moustaches, after which the military gent turns on his heel, goes away, and returns two hours afterwards."
"Yes, I have remarked it. It appears to me that, as I go and come, I see in the street men who appear to be watching the house."
"Perhaps the head clerk knows more of this than we do. By the way, where is he?"
"At the house of the Countess Macgregor, who has been assassinated, and is now despaired of. They sent for the governor to-day, but the head clerk was despatched in his stead."
"He has plenty in his hands, then, for I suppose he will fill Germain's place as cashier."
"Talking of Germain, an odd thing has occurred. The governor, in order to free him from prison, has declared that he made a mistake in his accounts, and that he has found the money he accused Germain of taking."
"I do not see anything odd in that,—it is but justice. I was sure that Germain was incapable of theft."
"Ah, here's a coach, gents!" said Chalamel, looking out of the window; "it is not a spicy turn-out like that of the famous vicomte, the gay Saint-Remy, but a hack concern."
"Who is coming out of it?"
"Only the curé,—a very worthy man he is, too."
"Silence! Some one comes in! To your work, my boys!"
And all the clerks, leaning over their desks, began to scrawl away with much apparent industry, and as if their attention had not been taken off their business for a single instant.
The pale features of the priest expressed at once a gentle melancholy combined with an air of intelligence and venerable serenity....