“He’s just beginning his doctor’s practice.” “Exactly; he hasn’t killed any one yet.” After the final galop the lawyer Paillet, finding himself thirsty, conducted his companion to the refreshment-room, where he drank some champagne and ate a _pâté de foie gras_ sandwich; and thus restored, condescended to reappear before the circle, where his desertion was severely appreciated. But he held out against them laughingly. “If you scold me you shan’t learn anything.” “Well, then, we’re listening.” “You were still at the point where Mr. Roquevillard had restored one hundred thousand francs to Mr. Frasne.” “It was interesting, wasn’t it?” “Not very, compared with what you’re going to hear next.” The first notes of a polka sounded, and he turned his head. His hearers trembled lest he should have the heart to leave them a second time with their mouths watering. Quite a group decided to mass themselves near the door and bar his passage. “You’re warm. It wouldn’t be wise,” observed Mr. Latache. And the lawyer Coulanges, adopting a different method, began to cast doubts upon the famous piece of news that had been promised them. Thereupon the news gatherer opened his mouth to let loose his prey. “Very well, then. You don’t know that Mr. Frasne acquires for nothing the fine estate of La Vigie, worth about two hundred thousand francs.” Exclamations of incredulity met him on all sides. “You don’t say so!” “You’re laughing at us.” Mr. Battard and Mr. Vallerois, the district attorney, who had been chatting at a distance, came up at this moment, their ears alert for news. “Exactly,” said the orator. “For nothing.” “But how?” “Like this: Mr. Roquevillard, in order to secure the money he wanted, advertised La Vigie for sale. Mr. Doudan, the notary, offered him one hundred thousand francs for it, payable immediately, but reserving the right to keep the name of the true purchaser secret for a fortnight. A fortnight--bear this in mind. Mr. Roquevillard, who hadn’t much time or choice before the trial, accepted. He could not hope for anything better in so brief an interval. Now, through the indiscretion of a clerk, it has leaked out--I learned it just now--that the real purchaser was Mr. Frasne. Mr. Frasne, if you please, spends one hundred thousand francs with one hand and receives it back with the other, and finds himself to boot, by a simple trick the proprietor of a magnificent estate for nothing.”