"Because he's in prison for debt--yes, been there two months." "No, really? in prison for debt! poor Célestin! I'll go and see him; and I'll see that he's released." Having said this with a swagger of importance, Tobie bade his friends adieu and left the café; but he had not walked thirty yards on the boulevard, when he was overtaken by Monsieur Dupétrain, who passed his arm through his, saying: "My dear Monsieur Pigeonnier, I have something very important to tell you--a warning--in fact, something that it is well you should know, so that you may be on your guard." "What does this mean?" cried Tobie, taking alarm at once; "does anyone think of robbing me? Somebody has found out that I have come into my aunt's property, and means to rob me, I suppose?" "It isn't that at all; in the first place, it's hardly probable that anyone who meant to rob you would have taken me into his confidence." "No, that is true; but you tell me to be on my guard." "You see, I take an interest in you, Monsieur Pigeonnier, for you believe in magnetism, and I remember that, the last time we dined together, I was going to tell you a very interesting anecdote concerning the extraordinary effects of somnambulism; it was this: A lady, whose husband was travelling, desired to know whether----" Tobie abruptly dropped Monsieur Dupétrain's arm, and exclaimed impatiently: "Was it because you proposed to tell me that, that you warned me to be on my guard?" "Oh! I beg your pardon--I didn't tell you, did I? This is what it is: I met Monsieur Plays not long ago, at an evening party; you know Monsieur Plays, Madame Plays's husband?" "Yes," Tobie replied, with a fatuous air, "an excellent sort of man; but I know his wife much better. Well! what did our dear Plays say to you?" "Our dear Plays--as it pleases you to call him so--asked me, in the course of conversation, if I knew you; and, on my replying in the affirmative, urged me, if I should happen to see you, to beg you to avoid him, inasmuch as his wife has ordered him to kill you, because, it seems, you insulted and deceived her shamefully; that is all Plays chose to tell me." Tobie roared with laughter. "Gad! that is charming! delicious! Ah! she employs her husband to kill me, now! I can guess why. Poor husband! luckily, he is good enough to warn me. I thank you for your warning, my dear Monsieur Dupétrain, but I assure you that Monsieur Plays doesn't worry me at all; he's no duellist, and, besides, I shall only have to say a single word to him to---- Alas! I would to God I had no duel to reproach myself for!" Again Tobie drew his handkerchief, as if deeply moved. "I am delighted that this affair doesn't worry you," rejoined Dupétrain; "in that case, we can return to that anecdote that I didn't have time to finish: A young lady, whose husband----" "Excuse me, Monsieur Dupétrain, but I have an important appointment; I will listen to it some other time, by your leave."