"You know him, then?"
"It is the mayor of La Logerie, Courtin, a vile cur."
"Courtin!" exclaimed Michel. "Courtin here! Are you sure?"
"I don't know him; but Picaut says it is he."
"When did he get here?"
"About fifteen minutes ago."
"Where is he?"
"He has just gone out. He got something to eat and went off immediately, telling me he should not be in till late,--not before two in the morning. He said he had business in Nantes."
"Does he know you knew him?"
"I think not; unless he recognized Joseph Picaut just as Picaut recognized him. But I doubt if he did, for he stood in the light and Joseph kept in the shade."