"Be good enough to keep
your manners . . . monsieur!" he added to the Financier, "if you do not
wish to speak with him, there is a door"--he pointed--"which will let you
into the side-street."
"What is his trouble?" asked M. Mornay.
M. Fille hesitated, then said reflectively: "He has lost his case in the
Appeal Court, monsieur; also, his cousin, Auguste Charron, who has been
working the Latouche farm, has flitted, leaving--"
"Leaving Jean Jacques to pay unexpected debts?"
"So, monsieur."
"Then I can be of no use, I fear," remarked M. Mornay dryly.
"Fille! Fille!" came the voice of Jean Jacques insistently from the
room.
"And so I will say au revoir, Monsieur Fille," continued the Big
Financier.
A moment later the great man was gone, and M. Fille was alone with the
philosopher of the Manor Cartier.
"Well, well, why do you keep me waiting! Who was it in there--anyone
that's concerned with my affairs?" asked Jean Jacques.
In these days he was sensitive when there was no cause, and he was
credulous where he ought to be suspicious. The fact that the little man
had held the door against him made him sure that M. Fille had not wished
him to see the departed visitor.
"Come, out with it--who was it making fresh trouble for me?" persisted
Jean Jacques.
"No one making trouble for you, my friend," answered the Clerk of the
Court, "but someone who was trying to do you a good turn.
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