“Pray go on.”
“A member of the police.”
“Oh, M. Beausire, I thought you had more sense. If I were of the police, I should have taken you long ago, for some little affairs less honorable than this speculation.”
“So, sir, you wish to send me to the Rue du Pôt au Fer: but I know why—that I may be arrested there: I am not such a fool.”
“Now, you are one. If I wanted to arrest you, I had only to do it, and I am rid of you at once; but gentleness and persuasion are my maxims.”
“Oh, I know now,” said Beausire, “you are the man that was on the sofa two hours ago.”
“What sofa?”
“Never mind; you have induced me to go, and if you are sending a gallant man into harm, you will pay for it some day.”
“Be tranquil,” said the blue domino, laughing; “by sending you there, I give you 100,000 francs at least, for you know the rule of this society is, that whoever is absent loses his share.”
“Well, then, good-by!” said Beausire, and vanished.