"No; and I can assure you that everybody is very impatient to see him."
The different groups began to crowd round the lawyer; and I noticed that all those faces which I recognized had thrown off the gloomy and despondent expression which they wore a year ago.
"They are full of hope," said Maître Valandier, "and it is my fault. But what could I do? Your friend made such an impression upon me that I spoke to these good people with a confidence ... which I cannot say I feel. However, he seems a queer sort of fellow, this Captain Jeanniot of yours...."
He asked me many questions and I gave him a number of more or less fanciful details about the captain, to which the heirs listened, nodding their heads in appreciation of my remarks.
"Of course, the truth was bound to be discovered sooner or later," said the fat gentleman, in a tone of conviction.
The infantry corporal, dazzled by the captain's rank, did not entertain a doubt in his mind.
The lady with the little dog wanted to know if Captain Jeanniot was young.
But Louise d'Ernemont said:
"And suppose he does not come?"
"We shall still have the five thousand francs to divide," said the beggar-man.