looked
doubtful at the foreign money, and went out to consult the
manager. A minute after, my man got up, saying:

"'There may be some trouble about changing that bank-note. Excuse
me one moment, pray.' He went out, monsieur, and piff-paff, he was
no more to be seen."

"Ah, _nigaud_ (ass), you are too foolish to live! Why did you
not follow him? Why let him out of your sight?"

"But, monsieur, I was not to know, was I? I was to accompany him,
not to watch him. I have done wrong, I confess. But then, who was
to tell he meant to run away?"

M. Flocon could not deny the justice of this defence. It was only
now, at the eleventh hour, that the Italian had become inculpated,
and the question of his possible anxiety to escape had never been
considered.

"He was so artful," went on Block in further extenuation of his
offence. "He left everything behind. His overcoat, stick, this
book--his own private memorandum-book seemingly--"

"Book? Hand it me," said the Chief, and when it came into his
hands he began to turn over the leaves hurriedly.

It was a small brass-bound note-book or diary, and was full of
close writing in pencil.

"I do not understand, not more than a word here and there. It is
no doubt Italian. Do you know that language, M. le Juge?"

"Not perfectly, but I can read it. Allow me."

He also turned over the pages, pausing to read a passage here and
there, and nodding his head from time to time, evidently struck
with the importance of the matter recorded.

Meanwhile, M. Flocon continued an angry conversation with his
offending subordinate.

"You will have to find him, Block, and that speedily, within
twenty-four hours,--to-day, indeed,--or I will break you like a
stick, and send you into the gutter. Of course, such a consummate
ass as you have proved yourself would not think of searching the
restaurant or the immediate neighbourhood, or of making inquiries
as to whether he had been seen, or as to which way he had gone?"

"Pardon me, monsieur is too hard on me. I have been unfortunate, a
victim to circumstances, still I believe I know my duty. Yes, I made
inquiries, and, what is more, I heard of him."

"Where? how?" asked the Chief, gruffly, but obviously much
interested.

"He never spoke to the manager, but walked out and let the change
go. It was a note for a hundred _lire_, a hundred francs, and
the restaurant bill was no more than seventeen francs."

"Hah! that is greatly against him indeed.