"I can hardly think the Prefect sent him," the young man said.
"Why should he act without his master's orders? In any case I shall have it out with De Mauves. Well, well, other annoyances followed, and I had half forgotten the rascal, your father being here, and the rain coming in at the roof and running down the stairs, when behold Joubard, to tell me the story over again!"
"What story?"
"Mille tonnerres! Angelot, you are very dull to-day. Why, the Simon story, of course. The fellow paid Joubard a visit on his way to us, it seems, and asked a thousand questions about me and my concerns—what visitors of mine passed La Joubardière on their way here, and so forth. He tried to make it all appear friendly gossip, so as to put Joubard off his guard, though knowing very well that the old man knew who he was."
"Does Joubard think the Prefect sent him?"
"I did not consult Joubard on that point," said Monsieur Joseph with dignity. "That is between De Mauves and myself."
"Oh, my little uncle," Angelot said with a low laugh, "you are a very gem among conspirators."
"None of you take me in earnest, I know," said Monsieur Joseph, and he smiled for the first time. "Your father scolds me, Joubard does not half believe in me, Riette takes liberties with me, you laugh at me. It is only that scoundrel of a Prefect who thinks me worth watching."
"I don't believe he does," said Angelot.
"Then pray tell me, what brought that police rascal here to-day?"