"I tell you, you are crazy, Micou," said Nicholas, shuddering in spite of himself.
"One would say that you tremble."
"My arm pains me."
"Then don't forget my recipe: it will cure you."
"Thank you, Father Micou. Good-bye," said Nicholas, taking his departure.
The receiver, after having concealed the copper, busied himself in collecting the different articles for Nicholas, when a new personage entered the shop. He was a man of about fifty, with a knowing face, heavy gray whiskers, and gold spectacles; he was dressed with some care; the large sleeves of his brown paletot, with velvet cuffs, displayed his straw-colored gloves; his boots undoubtedly the evening previous had been brilliantly polished.
Such was M. Badinot, the uncle of Madame de Saint Ildefonso, whose social position was the pride and security of Micou the Fence.
Badinot, formerly a lawyer, but struck off the rolls, and now a chevalier d'industrie, and agent of equivocal affairs, served as a spy for the Baron de Graün (Rudolph's friend), and gave the diplomatist a great deal of information concerning several characters of this narration.
"Madame Charles has just given you a letter?" said Badinot to the receiver.
"Yes, sir; my nephew will soon return; in a moment he will be off again."