human
Well, Sans-Cravate, you don't have anything to say this morning. Did our little spree last night tie up your tongue? You ain't sick, are you?
gpt
No, no! I've forgotten all about it; I'm all right.
human
I think myself that I had a little too much.
gpt
Not a bit of it; you think that because you got into a dispute, and that heated you up. You could have drunk a lot more. Do you know, I'm very sorry you couldn't settle your bet with Père Cagnoux; that would have staggered the old boy. It was that snivelling Paul that spoiled it all. Hm! he was rather inclined to crawl. Refuse to fight! that's just what he did! I call him a poor cuss for friends to be seen with. Look you, a comparison: he's like a slater that's afraid to go up on the roof and is only willing to slate the ground floor.
human
But he was willing to fight with the rest of you.
gpt
Oh! yes! for what? mere brag! humbug! he knew well enough that challenging everybody was just the same as challenging nobody. You're the one that he insulted--and, whatever way you look at it, you're the one he owed reparation to. To refuse to drink with friends, and break their glasses! Thanks! that's too damned unceremonious!
human
Oh! now that my head's clear, that isn't what I bear him a grudge for. You see yourself that he was quite right to despise that Laboussole, as he's a thief; and I blush now to think that I drank with such a cur!
gpt
No, no, not at all! you're all wrong! You think Laboussole's a thief, just because they arrested him as a thief!--why, that's one of the law's spiteful tricks. A man may be involved in a bad piece of business and not be a thief, for all that. I'm sure that Laboussole will come out as white as snow. Come and have a glass of beer. It's my treat.
human
No, thanks; I ain't thirsty.
gpt
Oh! you ain't hungry or thirsty to-day! Well, just as you please. But you see the little sneak don't dare to come here this morning; that proves that he has a feeling that he's in the wrong.
human
That's true; it's almost nine o'clock, and Paul is almost always the first one here; he don't seem to come.
gpt
What do you mean by that?
human
I mean--I mean----Faith! you know well enough what I mean; and I'll bet I know who he's with now.
gpt
With Bastringuette, you mean, don't you?
human
Oh! I'm not jealous of his good fortune, rejoined Sans-Cravate, struggling to appear calm;
gpt
Bah! humbug! they met afterward. If we knew where Paul lived, we could go and see if he was at home. Do you know where he lives, Sans-Cravate?
human
No, I don't; he told me he lived Faubourg Montmartre way; but that's all.
gpt
The devil! in a faubourg! it would be a nice job to find him! There's some mystery about that fellow; he's a queer fish.
human
What difference does it make whether he's at home, or at her room? I don't care a hang! I'm done with Bastringuette.
gpt
Never mind, muttered Jean Ficelle, biting into his bread;
human
And do you suppose that I won't have my revenge?
gpt
Good! said Jean Ficelle, patting the other's shoulder hypocritically;
human
You two are the men I want; you're Sans-Cravate, aren't you; and you, Jean Ficelle?
gpt
Then you'll be kind enough to come and see monsieur le commissaire.
human
What the devil should we go to see monsieur le commissaire for? I've never been there, and I've no business to settle with him.
gpt
Weren't you at the Petit Bacchus wine shop last night, when a certain Laboussole was arrested there? weren't you drinking with him?
human
Yes, but we didn't know him,
gpt
You can tell monsieur le commissaire what you know about him; he wants to question you. That's all I know; don't fail to come this morning.
human
We will come, monsieur.
gpt
To have to go before the magistrate! Not three days ago, I was congratulating myself on never having had anything to do with him. I've had quarrels enough; I've often fought, but I've always fought fair. No man I ever whipped could complain of being tricked, and there was no need of going before a magistrate to settle our quarrels. And to-day--just because I drank with that Laboussole, a friend of yours,--and now you say that you don't know him, and again that he ain't a thief. Tell me the truth, do you know him, or not?
human
Good God! as if I was called on to compromise myself before the magistrate to help someone else!
gpt
But if that someone is your friend, if he's arrested unjustly, you'd be a coward if you didn't try to defend him.
human
Parbleu! Laboussole's a fox; he will get out of it without any help. Come, Sans-Cravate, don't be ugly; after all, the most respectable people go before the magistrate; you see, we're only summoned as witnesses.
gpt
All right, let's go.
human
But I don't know where the magistrate lives; do you, Jean Ficelle?
gpt
Yes, it ain't very far from here; come, I'll show you the way.
human
And Paul hasn't come yet; but perhaps we shall find him at the magistrate's, too.