"What! what! I picked up the wallet?"
"Yes; you yourself."
"Word of honor, I didn't even know of it."
"You were seen."
"Seen? What? Who saw me?"
"Monsieur Malandin, the harness-maker."
Then the old man remembered, understood, reddened with anger.
"He saw meh, th' lout? He saw meh pick up that string! See here, m'sieu mayor," and feeling in the bottom of his pocket, he drew out the bit of cord.
But the mayor, incredulous, shook his head.
"You won't make me believe, Master Hauchecorne, that Malandin, who is a man worthy of credence, took that thread for a wallet."