"I am acquainted with neither Blanche nor the barber, but one of my friends goes often to Touquet's shop. I remember now that he has often spoken to me of your approaching marriage." "That's singular! M. Touquet advised the greatest secrecy, and he himself--" "But, you see, some one must have spoken of it, since I know it. But a man of high rank, a great nobleman, was in love with your promised wife." "A great nobleman! what is his name?" "I don't know yet, but I shall learn it." "And you are sure of this?" "Oh, very sure; and it must be this nobleman who has taken away your sweetheart." "I entreat you to let me know his name." "Tomorrow, that is, to say, this evening, I hope to learn it. But be prudent, young man, and do not compromise me. I expose myself to great risk in thus helping you." "Monsieur, you may count on my gratitude." "I will count on it, you may be sure." "And I may expect the information this evening?" "Yes; be near the Porte Montmartre at nine o'clock this evening. Take care to bring along with you all the money you can get together, and I will tell you all I have learned." "Enough! Oh, that evening were here--" "And, while waiting for it, I shall have need of some crowns to give to the friend of whom I spoke to you, and my pockets are empty because I have been robbed so much." "Here is all that I have upon me, monsieur; take it, I beg of you." "Very willingly, my young friend," said Chaudoreille; "but day is dawning; we must part until this evening, at the Porte Montmartre." "Oh, I shan't fail to be there, monsieur." "And don't forget anything I have told you. Good-by; I'm going to work for you." Chaudoreille departed, and Urbain, slightly restored by the hope imparted to him by this man, went to his dwelling that he might there wait for evening. While walking alongside the Pont-Neuf, the Gascon said to himself,-- "It seems to me that the marquis did the business very quickly. The little one is abducted; this rascal of a Touquet is in connivance with the marquis, I am certain. I must be audacious now; the marquis is incapable of speaking of me; I must go to Touquet's house without appearing to know anything, and see what he will say to me; besides, from prudential motives I shall remain in the shop, and the first angry movement that I see him make, I will spring out of the door and draw a hundred people around me."