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THE STRAND MAGAZINE.

franc seventy-five for the cab, that makes forty-one sous I owe you. If you will be good enough to dine with me this evening, we will settle our affairs at once. As an old business man, I like not outstanding. debts. Besides, ready reckonings always make good friends."


"You shall tell your tale at the police-office."


A quarter of an hour later the servant puts a third plate upon the table in the Rue de la Trocadéro. A month later there is a still larger party, when the wedding of Charlotte and Agénor is celebrated. And M. Chapoulot will often say to those who care to hear him:—

"Beware of borrowing, oh! fathers of families. C'est un faux pas. I made once a debt of forty-one sous, and could only repay it with a dowry of twenty thousand francs."

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