ure
is in the name of his _valet de chambre_, who is said to let it to him
furnished; and, in the same way, his horses and carriages are in his
coachman's name, who declares that he lets to the viscount his splendid
turn-out at so much a month. Ah, he's a 'downy' one, is M. de
Saint-Remy! But what were you going to tell me? what has happened here
fresh?"

"Why, imagine the governor coming in here two hours ago in a most awful
passion. 'Germain is not here?' he exclaimed. 'No, sir.' 'Well, the
rascal has robbed me last night of seventeen thousand francs!' says the
governor."

"Germain--rob--ah, come, that's 'no go!'"

"You will hear. 'What, sir, are you sure? but it cannot be,' we all
cried out. 'I tell you, gentlemen,' said the governor, 'that yesterday I
put in the drawer of the bureau at which he writes, fifteen notes of one
thousand francs each, and two thousand francs in gold, in a little box,
and it is all gone.' At this moment old Marriton, the porter, came in,
and he said, 'Sir, the police are coming; where is Germain?' 'Wait a
bit,' said the governor to the porter; 'as soon as M. Germain returns,
send him into the office, without saying a word. I will confront him
before you all, gentlemen,' said the governor. At the end of a quarter
of an hour in comes poor Germain, as if nothing had happened. Old Mother
Seraphin had brought in our morning mess. Germain made his bow to the
governor, and wished us all 'good morning,' as usual. 'Germain, don't
you take your breakfast?' inquired M. Ferrand. 'No, thank you, sir, I am
not hungry.' 'You're very late this morning.' 'Yes, sir; I was obliged
to go to Belleville this morning.' 'No doubt to hide the money you have
stolen from me!' M. Ferrand said, in a terrible voice."

"And Germain?"

"The poor fellow turned as pale as death, and stammered out,
'Pray--pray, sir, do not ruin me--'"

"What! he had stolen--"

"Listen, Jabulot: 'Do not ruin me,' says he to the governor. 'What! you
confess it, then, you villain?' 'Yes, sir; but here is the money; I
thought I could replace it before you came into the office this morning;
but, unfortunately, a person who had a small sum of mine, and whom I
expected to find at home last night, had been at Belleville these two
days, and I was compelled to go there this morning; that made me late.
Pray, sir, forgive me,--do not destroy me! When I took the money I knew
I could return it this morning; and here are the thirteen hundred franc