"He said to me, 'You are very happy, Pique-Vinaigre, to dare to speak with the famous Skeleton (he used the word famous) as an equal and a companion.' I am dying to speak to him; but he produces an effect upon me so respectful—so respectful—that, should I see the chief of police in flesh, and bones, and uniform, I could not be more overcome."
"He told you that?" replied Skeleton, feigning to believe him, and to be flattered at the admiration he excited in Germain.
"As true as that you are the greatest magsman on the earth, he told me so."
"Then it is different," answered Skeleton; "I must make it up with him. Barbillon had a mind to pick a quarrel, but he, too, will do well to let him alone."
"He will do better," cried Pique-Vinaigre, persuaded that he had turned away the danger with which Germain was threatened. "He will do better, for this poor fellow won't dispute; he is one of my kind, bold as a hare."
"Yes, it is a pity," said Skeleton; "we reckoned on this quarrel to amuse us after dinner, the time appears so long."
"Yes. What shall we do then?" asked Nicholas.
"Since it is so, let Pique-Vinaigre tell us a story. I will not seek a quarrel with Germain," said Barbillon.
"Agreed, agreed!" cried the story-teller. "That is one condition; but there is another, and without both I tell no stories."
"Come, what is your other condition?"