The minister of police was sure that nothing unpleasant had occurred, as the favorite's brother was smiling.
"To begin with," replied Jean, always ready to flatter those of whom he wanted to make use, "I am bound to compliment you on the admirable way in which you regulated the processions."
"Quite, so far as Luciennes is concerned."
"Is not that ample--does not the Sun rise in that quarter?"
"It goes down there very often, eh?" and the pair laughed. "But, the compliments apart, I have a service to ask of you."
"Tell me if anything lost in Paris can be found?"
"Yes, whether worthless or very valuable."
"My object of search is not worth much," responded Jean, shaking his head. "Only a young fellow of eighteen, named Gilbert, who was in the service of the Taverneys in Lorraine, but was picked up on the road by my sister Chon. She took him to Luciennes, where he abused the hospitality."
"I do not say so, but he took flight in a suspicious manner."
"I met him at the fountain at the corner of Plastrière Street, where I suppose he is living, and I believe I could lay my hand on the very house."
"All right, I will send a sure agent, who will take him out of it!"
"The fact is, this is a special affair, and I should like you to manage it without a third party."
"Oh, in that case, let me pick out a becoming wig and I am with you."
"Thank you, I prefer my own; it gets a new coat of paint every month, so as not to betray me."
He had tried on his twentieth peruke when the carriage was waiting at the door.
"There it is, the dirty house," said Jean, pointing in the direction of a dwelling in Plastrière street.
"Whew!" said Sartines, "dash me if I did not suspect this. You are unlucky, for that is the dwelling of Rousseau, of Geneva."
"It matters that Rousseau is a man to be dreaded."
"Pooh! it is not likely my little man will be harbored by a celebrity."
"Why not, as you nicknamed him a philosopher? Birds of a feather--you know----"
"Suppose it is so. Why not put this Rousseau in the Bastille if he is in our way?"
"Well, he would be more in our way there than here. You see the mob likes to throw stones at him, but they would pelt us if he was no longer their target, and they want him for themselves. But let us see into this. Sit back in the carriage."