Joseph Balsamo (78 page)
“Good!” thought M. de Sartines, “here come my thanks. But who knows ? women are so capricious. Show Monsieur le Vicomte into the drawing-room.*’
Jean, already fatigued with his forenoon’s work, seated
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himself in an armchair, and the lieutenant of police, who speedily joined him, felt convinced that there would be nothing unpleasant in this interview. Jean appeared in fact in the highest spirits. The two gentlemen shook hands.
” Well, viscount,” said M. de Sartines, ” what brings you so early ? “
” In the first place,” replied Jean, who was accustomed, above all things, to flatter the self-love of those whose good offices he needed, ” in the first place, I was anxious to congratulate you on the capital arrangements of your fete yesterday.”
” Ah ! many thanks. Is it officially ? “
” Officially, as far as regards Luciennes.”
‘ ‘ That is all I want. Is it not there that the. sun rises ? “
‘ ‘ Aye, and retires to rest occasionally.”
And Dubarry burst into a loud and rather vulgar laugh, but one which gave his physiognomy that good-natured look which it frequently required. ” But,” said lie, ” besides the compliments which I have to pay you, I have come to solicit a service also.”
” Two, if they are possible.”
” Not, so fast. I hope to hear you say so by and by. When a thing is lost in Paris, is there any hope of finding it again ? “
” If it is either worth nothing, or worth a great deal, there is.”
” What I am seeking is of no great value,” said Jean, shaking his head.
” And what are you in search of ?”
” I am in search of a lad about eighteen years old.”
M. de Sartines extended his hand to a paper, took a pencil, and wrote :
” Eighteen years old ; what is your lad’s name ?”
” Gilbert.”
“What does he do ?”
” As little as he can help, I suppose.”
” Where does he come from ?”
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From Lorraine. “
” With whom was he ? “
” In the service of the Taverneys. “
” They brought him with them ? “
” No, my sister. Chon picked him up on the highroad, perishing with hunger ; she took him into her carriage and brought him to Luciennes, and there “
” Well, and there?”
” I am afraid the rogue has abused the hospitality he met with ‘
” Has he stolen anything ? “
” I do not say that. But, in short, he absconded in a strange way.”
“And you would now like to get him back ?”
“Yes.”
” Have you any idea where he can be ? “
” I met him yesterday at the fountain which forms the corner of the Eue Plastriere, and have every reason to think that he lives in that street. In fact, I believe, if necessary, that I can point out the house.”
” Well, but if you know the house, nothing is easier than to have him seized there. What do you wish to do with him when you have caught him ? Have him shut up at Charenton in the Bicetre ? “
“Not precisely that.”
” Oh ! whatever you please, my dear fellow. Don’t stand on ceremony.”
” No, on the contrary, this lad pleased my sister, and she would have liked to keep him about her, as he is intelligent. If one could get him back for her by fair means, it would be more desirable.”
” We must try. You have not made any inquiry in the Rue Plastriere to learn with whom he is ? “
” Oh, no ! You must understand that I did not wish to attract attention, for fear of losing the advantage I had obtained. He had already perceived me, and scampered off as if the devil was at his heels ; and, if he had known that I was aware of his retreat, he would perhaps have decamped.”
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“Very likely. Rue Plastriere, you say. At the end, the middle, or the beginning of the street ? “
” About one third down.”
” Rest satisfied, I will send a clever fellow thither for you.”
” Ah, my dear lieutenant, a man, let him be ever so clever, will always talk a little.”
” No, our people never talk.”
” The young one is cunning as a fox.”
” Ah ! I comprehend. Pardon me for not having seen your drift sooner. You wish me to go myself ? In fact, you are right ; it will be better ; for there are perhaps difficulties in the way which you are not aware of.”
Jean, though persuaded that the magistrate was desirous to assume a little consequence, was not disposed to diminish in the slightest degree the importance of his part. He even added : ” It is precisely on account of these difficulties which you anticipate, that I am desirous to have your personal assistance.”
M. de Sartines rang for his valet de chambre. ” Let the horses be put to,” said he.
” I have a carriage,” said Jean.
” Thank you, but I would rather have my own. Mine is without arms, and holds a middle place between a hackney-coach and a chariot. It is freshly painted every month, and for that reason is scarcely to be recognized again. In the meantime, while they are putting the horses to, permit me to try how my new wigs fit me.”
” Oh ! by all means,” said Jean.
M. de Sartines summoned his wig-maker. He was an artist of the first water, and brought his client a perfect assortment of wigs ; they were all forms, of all colors, of all dimensions, and of all denominations. M. de Sartines occasionally changed his dress three or four times a day for the purpose of his exploring visits, and he was most particular with regard to the regularity of his costume. While the magistrate was trying on his twenty-fourth wig, a servant came to tell him that the carriage was ready.
592 JOSEPH BALSAMO.
” You will know the house again ? ” said M. de Sartines to Jean, when they were in the carriage.
” Certainly ; I see it from this place.”
” Have you examined the entrance ? “
” That was the first thing I looked to.”
“And what sort of an entry is it ?”
“An alley.”
” Ah ! an alley : one third down the street, you say ? “
” Yes, with a private door.”
” With a private door ? The deuce ! Do you know on what floor your runaway lives ? “
“In the attic. But you will see it directly ; I perceive the fountain.”
” At a foot-pace, coachman,” said M. de Sartines.
The coachman moderated his speed ; M. de Sartines drew up his glasses.
” Stop,” said Jean ; ” it is that dingy-looking house.”
“Ah, precisely,” exclaimed M. de Sartines, clasping his hands ; ” that is just what I feared.”
” What ! Are you afraid of something ?”
“Alas! yes.”
” And what are you afraid of ? “
“You are unlucky.”
” Explain yourself.”
” Why, that dingy house where your runaway lives is the very house of Monsieur Kousseau, of Geneva.”
” Kousseau, the author ? “
“Yes.”
” Well, and how does that concern you ? “
” How does that concern me ? Ah ! it is plain enough that you are not lieutenant of police, and that you have nothing to do with philosophers ? “
” Pooh ! pooh ! Gilbert at Monsieur Rousseau’s what an improbable story ! “
” Have you not said that your youth is a philosopher ? “
” Yes.”
” Well, ‘ birds of a feather you know.”
” And supposing that he should be at Monsieur Rousseau’s ? “
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” Yes, let us suppose that ? “
“What would be the consequence ?”
” That you would not have him.”
” Pardieu ! Why not ? “
” Because Monsieur Rousseau is a man who is much to be dreaded.”
“Why not shut him up in the Bastile, then ? “
” I proposed it the other day to the king, but he dared not.”
“What! Dared not?”
” No, no ; he wanted to leave the responsibility of his arrest to me ; and by my faith, I was not bolder than the king.”
“Indeed!”
” It is as I tell you. We have to look twice, I assure you, before we bring all those philosophers about our ears. Peste ! Take a person away from Monsieur Rousseau. Xo, my dear friend, it will not do.”
” In truth, my dear magistrate, you appear to be excessively timorous. Is not the king the king ? Are you not his lieutenant of police ?”
” And, in truth, you citizens are charming fellows. When you have said, * Is not the king the king ? ‘ you fancy you have said all that is necessary. Well, listen to me, my dear viscount. I would rather arrest you at Madame Dubarry’s than remove your Monsieur Gilbert from Monsieur Rousseau’s.”
” Really ! Many thanks for the preference.”
“Yes, upon my honor there would be less outcry. You have no idea what delicate skins those literary men have ; they cry out at the slightest scratch, as if you were breaking them upon the wheel.”
” But let us not conjure up phantoms ; look you, is it quite certain that Monsieur Rousseau has harbored our fugitive ? This house has four floors. Does it belong to him, and does lie alone live in it ? “
“Monsieur Rousseau is not worth a denier, and consequently, has no house in Paris ; there are probably from fifteen to twenty other inmates beside himself in yonder
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barrack. But take this for a rule of conduct ; whenever ill luck appears at all probable, reckon upon it ; whenever good luck, never reckon upon that. There are always ninety-nine chances for the ill and one for the good. But, however, wait a moment. As I suspected what would hap-pen, I have brought my notes with me.”
” What notes ? “
” My notes respecting Monsieur Kousseau. Do you suppose that he can take a step without our knowing whither he is gone ? “
” Ha ! indeed ! Then he is really dangerous ?”
” No ; but he makes us uneasy. Such a madman may at any time break an arm or a leg, and people would say it was we who had broken it.”
” A good thing if he would break his neck some day.”
” God forbid ! “
“Permit me to tell you that this is quite incomprehensible to me.’*
” The people stone this honest Geuevese from time to time, but they allow no one else to do so ; and if the smallest pebbles were flung at him by us, they would stone us in return.”
” Excuse me, but in truth, I know not what to make of all these doings.”
” And so we must use the most minute precautions. Now let us verify the only chance which is left, viz., that he does not lodge with Monsieur Rousseau. Keep yourself out of sight, at the back of the carriage.”
Jean obeyed, and M. de Sartines ordered the coachman to walk the horses a few paces to and fro in the street.
He then opened his portfolio, and took some papers out of it. ” Let me see,” said he, ” if your youth is with Monsieur Rousseau. Since what day do you suppose him to have been there ? “
“Ever since the sixteenth.”
” 17th. Monsieur Rousseau was seen herborizing at six o’clock in the morning in the wood at Meudon ; he was alone.”
” He was alone 1 “
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” Let ns proceed. ‘ At two o’clock in the afternoon he was herborizing again, but with a young man.’ “
“Ah! 1 ha!” cried Jean.
“With a young man ‘ repeated M. de Sartines, “do you understand ? “
” That’s he, mordieu ! that’s he ! “
” * The young man is mean-looking ‘ “
“Thfctiahe!”
” ‘ The two individuals pick up plants, and dry them in a tin box.’”
” The devil ! the devil ! ” exclaimed Dubarry.
” That is not all. Listen further : ‘ In the evening, he took the young man home, at midnight the young man had not left the house.”’
” Well ? “
” ‘18th. The young man has not left the house, and appears to be installed at Monsieur Rousseau’s.”’
” I have still a gleam of hope.”
” You are decidedly an optimist ! No matter, tell me your hope.”
” It is that he has some relation in the house.”
” Come ! we must satisfy you, or rather utterly destroy your hopes. Halt, coachman.”
M. de Sartines alighted. He had not taken ten steps before he met a man in gray clothes, and of very equivocal aspect. This man, on perceiving the illustrious magistrate, took off his hat and replaced it, without appearing to attach further importance to his salutation, although respect and attachment had been expressed in his look. M. de Sartines made a sign, the man approached, received some whispered instructions, and disappeared in Rousseau’s alley. The lieutenant of police returned to his carriage. Five minutes after, the man in gray made his appearance again, and approached the door.
” I shall turn my head to the right ‘ said Dubarry, ” that I may not be seen.”
M. de Sartines smiled, received the communication of his agent, and dismissed him.
” Well ? ” inquired Dubarry.
596 JOSEPH BALSAMO.
” Well ! the chance was against you, as I apprehended ; it is with Kousseau that your Gilbert lodges. You must give him up, depend upon it.”
“Give him up?”
” Yes. You would not, for a whim, raise all the philosophers in Paris against us, would you ? “
“Oh, heavens ! and what will my sister Jeanne say ? “
” Is she so much attached to Gilbert ?” asked M. de Sartines.
” Indeed she is.”
“Well, in that case, you must resort to gentle means, coax Monsieur Eousseau, and instead of letting Gilbert be taken from him by force, he will give him up voluntarily.”
” As well set us to tame a bear.”
” It is, perhaps, not so difficult a task as you imagine. Do not despair ; he is fond of pretty faces ; that of the countess is very handsome, and Mademoiselle Chon’s is not unpleasing. Let me see the countess will make a sacrifice for her whim ? “
” She will make a hundred.”
” Would she consent to fall in love with Kousseau ? “
“If it is absolutely necessary.”
” It will perhaps be useful ; but to bring the parties together, we shall need a third person. Are you acquainted with any one who knows Rousseau ? “
” Monsieur de Conti.”
” Won’t do ; he distrusts princes. We want a nobody, a scholar, a poet.”
” We never see people of that sort.”