But postpone the appointment, and don't sign the papers till the day after to-morrow; by that time you may find it impossible to retain Rabourdin,--in fact, in all probability, he will send you his resignation--" "His resignation ?" "Yes." "Why ?" "He is the tool of a secret power in whose interests he has carried on a system of espionage in all the ministries, and the thing has been discovered by mere accident.

He has written a paper of some kind, giving short histories of all the officials.

Everybody is talking of it; the clerks are furious.

For heaven's sake, don't transact business with him to-day; let me find some means for you to avoid it.

Ask an audience of the King; I am sure you will find great satisfaction there if you concede the point about Baudoyer; and you can obtain something as an equivalent.