Before we introduce the solicitor's two clerks, let us see what had happened between them as a result of the delicate commission which one had intrusted to the other. XXXIII BAHUCHET'S POMADE We have seen in what fashion Master Landry treated young Plumard, whom he had taken for a lover of his daughter. We know, too, that little Bahuchet, having betaken himself to a wine shop with the purpose of regaling himself there, had found means to obtain a thrashing from Master Hugonnet, to whom he had applied for some pomade which would make the hair grow. As in those days hair dressers employed neither bear's grease nor lion's flesh, the bath keeper had taken the young clerk's request in very ill part. Bahuchet had returned home sorely vexed because he had been beaten, but even more dissatisfied because he had obtained no pomade; for he was most solicitous to recover possession of the gold piece that he had given to his comrade Plumard, and which the latter had promised to return to him on receipt of the precious cosmetic that was to restore to the nape of his neck the shade which it had lost. "After all," said Bahuchet to himself, the next morning, "as that brute of a barber would not give me any pomade, pardieu! I will make some myself! And who knows! perhaps it will be better for the head than all the infernal drugs that the wigmakers rub into our hair." After having considered some time what he could make it of, the little clerk took some gum, mustard, pitch, starch, and molasses, and with all of these he compounded a solid paste which gave forth a not very sweet odor, but which clung so persistently to the hands that it was extremely difficult to free them from it. He filled a small jar with this substance, wrapped it in a paper, put his seal upon it, and walked proudly to the office, saying to himself: "Plumard shall have his pomade, and I my gold piece." The two clerks accosted each other, each with a most amusing expression. "Well, friend Plumard, did you do my errand? did you deliver the white plume?" "Yes, to be sure; I put it into Master Landry's own hands." "How did he take the thing?" "In very bad part, and at one time I thought he was going to treat me shamefully; luckily, I ran away in time.--But I would not undertake such a commission again! it was too dangerous!" "And for that reason you shall be handsomely paid!" said Bahuchet, taking from his pocket the little jar in which he had placed his vile mixture. Plumard's face beamed; his hand was already put forth to grasp the little jar, but Bahuchet pushed it away, saying: "One minute; how about my gold piece?" "Oh! of course, I will return it to you; I ask nothing better; I much prefer this jar!" "I should think so! a wonderful invention like this! I ought to have made you pay me its weight in gold; but between friends, you know. Besides, a promise is a sacred thing! Here, take your stuff!"