“'No, not exactly. It seems--however--' “He slapped me on the back: “'Come on, no joking! I am Patience, Robert Patience, your friend, your chum.' “I recognized him. Yes, Robert Patience, my old college chum. It was he. I took his outstretched hand: “'And how are you?' “'Fine!' “His smile was like a paean of victory. “He asked: “'What are you doing here?' “I explained that I was government inspector of taxes. “He continued, pointing to my red ribbon: “'Then you have-been a success?' “I answered: “'Fairly so. And you?' “'I am doing well!' “'What are you doing?' “'I'm in business.' “'Making money?' “'Heaps. I'm very rich. But come around to lunch, to-morrow noon, 17 Rue du Coq-qui-Chante; you will see my place.' “He seemed to hesitate a second, then continued: “'Are you still the good sport that you used to be?' “'I--I hope so.' “'Not married?' “'No.' “'Good. And do you still love a good time and potatoes?' “I was beginning to find him hopelessly vulgar. Nevertheless, I answered “'Yes.' “'And pretty girls?' “'Most assuredly.' “He began to laugh good-humoredly. “'Good, good! Do you remember our first escapade, in Bordeaux, after that dinner at Routie's? What a spree!' “I did, indeed, remember that spree; and the recollection of it cheered me up. This called to mind other pranks. He would say: “'Say, do you remember the time when we locked the proctor up in old man Latoque's cellar?' “And he laughed and banged the table with his fist, and then he continued: “'Yes-yes-yes-and do you remember the face of the geography teacher, M. Marin, the day we set off a firecracker in the globe, just as he was haranguing about the principal volcanoes of the earth?' “Then suddenly I asked him: “'And you, are you married?' “He exclaimed: “'Ten years, my boy, and I have four children, remarkable youngsters; but you'll see them and their mother.' “We were talking rather loud; the people around us looked at us in surprise. “Suddenly my friend looked at his watch, a chronometer the size of a pumpkin, and he cried: “'Thunder! I'm sorry, but I'll have to leave you; I am never free at night.' “He rose, took both my hands, shook them as though he were trying to wrench my arms from their sockets, and exclaimed: “'So long, then; till to-morrow noon!' “'So long!' “I spent the morning working in the office of the collector-general of the Department. The chief wished me to stay to luncheon, but I told him that I had an engagement with a friend. As he had to go out, he accompanied me. “I asked him: “'Can you tell me how I can find the Rue du Coq-qui-Chante?' “He answered: “'Yes, it's only five minutes' walk from here. As I have nothing special to do, I will take you there.'