"What is it?"
"What gentleman is your papa talking with?" he asked in his most insinuating tone.
"With a tall gentleman."
"This is a charming child," said Cauvignac; "wait a moment and we shall learn something. How is the gentleman dressed?"
"All in black."
"The devil! Do you hear? all in black! What is the name of this tall gentleman dressed all in black? Do you happen to know that, my dear?"
"His name is Monsieur La Vie."
"Aha!" said Cauvignac; "the king's advocate! I fancy that we have no reason to be apprehensive of anything he is likely to do. Let us take advantage of their conversation to converse ourselves. Here, my little fellow" he added, slipping a piece of money under the door, "here's something to buy marbles with. It's a good thing to make friends everywhere," he continued, as he stood erect once more.
The child joyfully seized the coin, and thanked the donor.
"Well, monsieur," said Canolles, "you were saying—"