"Do you know, that gives me a curious idea?"
"What is it?"
"That Paul may be a spy; and that it was him who had Laboussole arrested last night."
"Shut up, Jean Ficelle! don't insult our mate. It's an infernal shame for you to say that!"
"I may not be wrong; ain't there something queer in the way Paul acts? Didn't Laboussole say he'd met him all dressed up—like a regular swell?"
"You dare to tell me what Laboussole said—a thief!"
"What does that prove? A man may steal, and still have good eyes; indeed, he's all the more likely to; and then, one day, in the Marais, I thought myself that I recognized Paul in a man dressed like a rich bourgeois; I'm sure now that I wasn't mistaken. If he disguises himself like that, he must have more trades than one. He's a sham messenger, and I go back to my idea: he's a spy!"
"Once more, Jean Ficelle, I forbid you to say such things!"
"But you can't keep me from thinking 'em; ideas are free, like opinions;—a man can't be prevented from having his own opinions and ideas!"
Sans-Cravate made no further reply. They arrived at their stand, but Paul was not there.