Van Weller. Have you ever seen him?
Frans. Never.
Van Weller (aside). I think the fellow is lying. (To Frans.) Did you ever know a man by the name of Huser?
Frans. Huser? Yes, very well indeed. He was the young master’s greatest friend. Or rather—for they weren’t exactly friends—he was ... he did ... he gave ... well, I never quite knew what to make of that Huser.
Van Weller. Now we’re getting near it! What became of Huser?
Frans. H’m!—nothing much! ... he did not turn out anything to boast of, General. He was careless,—he was fast ... that is to say, he wasn’t exactly that. He gambled ... at least, no, he never gambled. But ... in short, I don’t know anything about it. All I know is, that he came to smash in the end.
Van Weller (aside). Poor Gustav! poor boy! (To Frans.) Go on, man, tell me all you know.
Frans. He had a difference of opinion with the Procureur du Roi, as we used to say at Paris. He had been imprudent—(whispers)—forged cheques!—people took it ill of him,—and—you know the law, General!
Van Weller (aside). Poor boy! (To Frans.) But how was that possible? Was he in debt?
Frans. On the contrary, his father had left him plenty of money, and he lived very economically.