Chupin wished to irritate Mme. Blanche still more by other malicious remarks, but she checked him by a gesture.
“So you know the way to the Borderie?” she inquired.
“Perfectly.”
“Where is it?”
“Opposite the mills of the Oiselle, near the river, about a league and a half from here.”
“That is true. I remember now. Were you ever in the house?”
“More than a hundred times while Chanlouineau was living.”
“Explain the topography of the dwelling!”
Chupin’s eyes dilated to their widest extent.
“What do you wish?” he asked, not understanding in the least what was required of him.