n sous, my pippin," said the boy; "I'll tell you what you
want to know all gratis and for nothing, because I've taken a real fancy
to the cut of your mug. The tall chap was Mascarin, the fat un Doctor
Hortebise, and t'other--stop, let me think it out in my knowledge box;
ah! I have it, he was Verminet."

Andre was so delighted that, drawing from his pocket a five-franc piece,
he tossed it to the boy.

"Thanks, my noble lord," said Chupin, and was about to add something
more in a similar vein, when he glanced down the street. His look
changed in an instant, and he fixed his eyes upon the painter's face
with a very strange expression.

"What is the matter, my lad?" asked Andre, surprised at this sudden
change.

"Nothing," answered Chupin; "nothing at all; only as you seem a
decentish sort of chap, I should recommend you to keep your wits about
you, and to look out for squalls."

"Eh, what do you mean?"

"I mean--why--be careful, of course. Hang me if I exactly know what I
do mean. It is just an idea that came to me all of a jump. But there, be
off; I ain't going to say another word."

With much difficulty Andre repressed his astonishment. He saw that
this young scamp was the possessor of many secrets which might be of
inestimable value to him; but he also saw that he was determined to hold
his tongue, and that it would at present be a waste of time to try and
get anything out of him; and an empty cab passing at this moment, Andre
hailed it, and told the coachman to drive fast to the Champs Elysees. In
obedience to the warning that he had just received from Toto, he did not
give the name of the _cafe_ where he was to meet De Breulh, for he made
up his mind to be careful, yes, extremely careful. He recollected the
two odd whistles which had seemed to make Mascarin wince, and which
certainly broke off the conference of the three men, and he remembered
that it was after a glance down the street that Toto had become less
communicative and had given him that curt warning. "By heaven," said he,
as the recollection of a story he had read not long ago dawned on
him, "I am being followed." He lowered the front glass of the cab, and
attracted the coachman's attention by pulling him by the sleeve.

"Listen to me," said he, as the man turned, "and do not slacken your
speed. Here, take your five francs in advance."

"But look here----"

"Listen to me. Go as sharp as you can to the Rue de Matignon; turn down
it, and, as you