"Now, that is interesting; and I who scarcely know the address! Near
Calvi, is it not? A waste of rocks, and behind each rock at least one
bandit--so my dear mother assured me."

"It might be cultivated," answered Colonel Gilbert, indifferently. "It
might be made to yield a small return. I have often thought so. I have
even thought of whiling away my exile by attempting some such scheme. I
once contemplated buying a piece of land on that coast to try. Perhaps
you would sell?"

"Sell!" laughed de Vasselot. "No; I am not such a scoundrel as that. I
would toss you for it, my dear colonel; I would toss you for it, if you
like."

And as they turned out of the avenue into one of the palatial streets
that run towards the Avenue Victor Hugo, he made the gesture of throwing
a coin into the air.




CHAPTER V.


IN THE RUE DU CHERCHE-MIDI.

"Il ne faut jamais se laisser trop voir, meme a ceux qui nous aiment."