"Besides, it is not proved that that old ape was not making game of
us," he said, dropping his argument, which was drowned in the laughter
of the other clerks. "On my honor, Colonel Chabert is really and truly
dead. His wife is married again to Comte Ferraud, Councillor of State.
Madame Ferraud is one of our clients."

"Come, the case is remanded till to-morrow," said Boucard. "To work,
gentlemen. The deuce is in it; we get nothing done here. Finish
copying that appeal; it must be handed in before the sitting of the
Fourth Chamber, judgment is to be given to-day. Come, on you go!"

"If he really were Colonel Chabert, would not that impudent rascal
Simonnin have felt the leather of his boot in the right place when he
pretended to be deaf?" said Desroches, regarding this remark as more
conclusive than Godeschal's.

"Since nothing is settled," said Boucard, "let us all agree to go to
the upper boxes of the Francais and see Talma in 'Nero.' Simonnin may
go to the pit."

And thereupon the head clerk sat down at his table, and the others
followed his example.

"/Given in June eighteen hundred and fourteen/ (in words)," said
Godeschal. "Ready?"

"Yes," replied the two copying-clerks and the engrosser, whose pens
forthwith began to creak over the stamped paper, making as much noise
in the office as a hundred cockchafers imprisoned by schoolboys in
paper cages.