Karasloff smiled.
"I do not go to hear the band," said he, "maybe because music stirs up memories, and as to the cafés, I have never been a frequenter of cafés. What do I do with myself? Well, I will not tell you; but if you come with me this evening I will show you."
"I'll come," said Jacques.
He was vastly interested in this business, there was something mysterious in the evasive reply and the manner of Karasloff. What was this mysterious occupation or amusement that held his friend every evening from six till ten? He remembered one légionnaire who used to disappear from barracks like this, and who, it turned out afterwards, was assisting in the management of a café; could Karasloff be so employed? Jacques' fertile brain busied itself all that day turning over suggestions and ideas on the subject without finding anything plausible, and at six o'clock, still in the dark, he started off with his secretive companion for Sidi-bel-Abbès.
"I have been trying to guess what you will show me," said he, "and what business it is that you are engaged in."
"I will give you three guesses," said Karasloff, laughing, "and five francs if you hit the mark."
"Good," said Jacques. "Well, then, you are running a café."
"No."
"A gambling shop."
"No."