"Was the act I committed so ignoble and abominable?" he pursued. "Then
why did your father propose it? The shame should fall on him. He should
not have tempted a poor man with wealth like that. If, on the contrary,
I have done well, let them make laws to protect me."
Martial comprehended the necessity of reassuring his troubled mind.
"Chupin, my boy," said he, "I do not ask you to discover Monsieur
d'Escorval in order to denounce him; far from it--I only desire you to
ascertain if anyone at Saint-Pavin, or at Saint-Jean-de-Coche, knows of
his having crossed the frontier."
On hearing the name Saint-Jean-de-Coche, Chupin's face blanched.
"Do you wish me to be murdered?" he exclaimed, remembering Balstain
and his vow. "I would have you know that I value my life, now that I am
rich."
And seized with a sort of panic he fled precipitately. Martial was
stupefied with astonishment.
"One might really suppose that the wretch was sorry for what he had
done," he thought.
If that was really the case, Chupin was not alone.
M.
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