Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/57

 other guests withdrew, a waiting-maid entered. 'The bill, and send your master;' and the master came with the bill of our expenses. 'Astonishing how soon it mounts up,' observed Belle-Rose: 'one hundred and ninety livres, twelve sous, six deniers! Ah! M. Nivet, do you want to skin us alive? Here is an item I will not pass by—four lemons, twenty-four sous. We only had three—reduction the first. Peste, papa Nivet, I am not surprised at your making a fortune. Seven half-glasses, that is very fine; but how do you make it out, when there were only six of us? I shall find other mistakes, I am convinced. Asparagus, eighteen livres; that is too much.'—'In April,' said M. Nivet, 'and so early!'—'Well, that is right; young peas, artichokes, fish, lettuces, strawberries, twenty-four livres—that is correct. The wine is fair enough: now I will add it up. Put down nought and carry one—the total is correct, deducting the twelve sous and the six deniers there remains one hundred and ninety livres. Well, will you give me credit for the amount, papa Nivet?'—'Oh!' replied the landlord, 'yesterday, yes; today, no; credit on land as long as you please, but once at sea, how am I be repaid? at Surinam? Devil take the sea-going creditors. I tell you money I want, and you shall not go out till I am satisfied; otherwise I shall send for the watch, and we shall then see'

"M. Nivet went out in an apparent rage.

"'He is a man of his word,' said Belle-Rose to us. 'But an idea strikes me, in great distresses, great remedies. Doubtlessly you have no greater wish than myself to be led before M. Lenoir between four guards. The king gives 100 francs a man for recruits; there are two of you, that makes 200 francs: sign your enrolment; I will go and get the cash, then return and free you. What say you?'

"Fanfan and I looked at each other in silence. 'What! do you hesitate? I had a better opinion of you. I, who would cut myself in quarters—and then