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wered: "As you see. Good-day, Sieur Clubin." The little man started. "You know me?" "You knew me very well," replied Rantaine. Meanwhile they could hear a sound of oars on the sea. It was the approach of the boat which the officer had observed. Sieur Clubin said in a low tone, as if speaking to himself: "It was done quickly." "What can I do to oblige you?" asked Rantaine. "Oh, a trifling matter! It is very nearly ten years since I saw you. You must have been doing well. How are you?" "Well enough," answered Rantaine. "How are you?" "Very well," replied Clubin. Rantaine advanced a step towards Clubin. A little sharp click caught his ear. It was Sieur Clubin who was cocking his revolver. "Rantaine, there are about fifteen paces between us. It is a nice distance. Remain where you are." "Very well," said Rantaine. "What do you want with me?" "I! Oh, I have come to have a chat with you." Rantaine did not offer to move again. Sieur Clubin continued: "You assassinated a coast-guardman just now." Rantaine lifted the flap of his hat, and replied: "You have already done me the honour to mention it." "Exactly; but in terms less precise. I said a man: I say now, a coast-guardman. The man wore the number 619. He was the father of a family; leaves a wife and five children." "That is no doubt correct," said Rantaine. There was a momentary pause. "They are picked men--those coast-guard people," continued Clubin; "almost all old sailors." "I have remarked," said Rantaine, "that people generally do leave a wife and five children." Sieur Clubin continued: "Guess how much this revolver cost me?" "It is a pretty tool," said Rantaine. "What do you guess it at?" "I should guess it at a good deal." "It cost me one hundred and forty-four francs." "You must have bought that," said Rantaine, "at the shop in the Ruelle Coutanchez." Clubin continued: "He did not cry out. The fall stopped his voice, no doubt." "Sieur Clubin, there will be a breeze to-night." "I am the only one in the secret." "Do you still stay at the Jean Auberge?" "Yes: you are not badly served there." "I remember getting some excellent sour-krout there." "You must be exceedingly strong, Rantaine. What shoulders you have! I should be sorry to get a tap from you. I, on the other hand, when I came into the world, looked so spare and sickly, that they despaired of rearing me." "They succ
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