"What in the world makes you so anxious to see Dardouillet, this evening?" asked M. Mauperin.
"Yes, that's true," put in Renée. "That hasn't been explained. Please explain, Denoisel."
"How inquisitive you are, Renée. It's just a bit of nonsense—nothing that matters. I want him to lend me his bulldog for a rat-fight at my club to-morrow. I've made a bet that he'll kill a hundred in two minutes. And with that I must depart. Good-night, all!"
"Good-night!"
"Then, my boy will be here the day after to-morrow, for sure?" said Mme. Mauperin at the door to Denoisel.
Denoisel nodded without answering.
XXXVII
On arriving at Dardouillet's little house at the other end of the village, Denoisel rang the bell. An old woman opened the door.
"Has M. Dardouillet gone to bed?"