The notary's nose;

THE NOTARY'S NOSE. 167
shops. What had he said, what had he
done, what propriety had he offended?
what awkwardness, what folly had brought
such treatment upon him? For there was
certainly no room for doubt, he had been
put out of M. de Villemaurin's door; and
the marriage contract was there in his
hand-the contract gotten up with so
much care, in such good style, and which
nobody had heard read!
He was in the court-yard of his own
house before finding any solution to the
problem. The appearance of his concierge inspired him with a brilliant idea.
" Shinguet! " he cried.
The little emaciated Singuet ran up.
" Shinguet, a hundred francsh for you,
if you'll shinsherely tell me the truth;
and a hundred kicksh if you consheal
anything."
Singuet looked at him with surprise
and smiled timidly.