“Monsieur, I make a distinction; the Sieur Birotteau was a member of the municipality—­”

“You have not sent for us, I presume, to explain that we are to be brought into a criminal police court?” said Pillerault.  “The cafe David would laugh finely at your conduct this evening.”

The opinion of the cafe David seemed to frighten the old man, who looked at Pillerault with a startled air.  He had counted on meeting Birotteau alone, intending to pose as the sovereign arbiter of his fate,—­a legal Jupiter.  He meant to frighten him with the thunder-bolt of an accusation, to brandish the axe of a criminal charge over his head, enjoy his fears and his terrors, and then allow himself to be touched and softened, and persuaded at last to restore his victim to a life of perpetual gratitude.  Instead of his insect, he had got hold of an old commercial sphinx.

“Monsieur,” he replied, “I see nothing to laugh at.”

“Excuse me,” said Pillerault.  “You have negotiated largely with Monsieur Claparon; you have neglected the interests of the main body of the creditors, so as to make sure that certain claims shall have a preference.  Now I can as one of the creditors interfere.  The commissioner is to be taken into account.”

“Monsieur,” said Molineux, “I am incorruptible.”

“I am aware of it,” said Pillerault.  “You have only taken your iron out of the fire, as they say.  You are keen; you are acting just as you do with your tenants—­”

“Oh, monsieur!” said the assignee, suddenly dropping into the landlord,—­just as the cat metamorphosed into a woman ran after a mouse when she caught sight of it,—­“my affair of the Rue Montorgeuil is not yet settled.  What they call an impediment has arisen.  The tenant is the chief tenant.  This conspirator declares that as he has paid a year in advance, and having only one more year to”—­here Pillerault gave Cesar a look which advised him to pay strict attention —­“and, the year being paid for, that he has the right to take away his furniture.  I shall sue him!  I must hold on to my securities to the last; he may owe something for repairs before the year is out.”

“But,” said Pillerault, “the law only allows you to take furniture as security for the rent—­”

“And its accessories!” cried Molineux, assailed in his trenches.  “That article in the Code has been interpreted by various judgments rendered in the matter:  however, there ought to be legislative rectification to it.  At this very moment I am elaborating a memorial to his Highness, the Keeper of the Seals, relating to this flaw in our statutes.  It is desirable that the government should maintain the interests of landlords.  That is the chief question in statecraft.  We are the tap-root of taxation.”

“You are well fitted to enlighten the government,” said Pillerault; “but in what way can we enlighten you—­about our affairs?”

“I wish to know,” said Molineux, with pompous authority, “if Monsieur Birotteau has received moneys from Monsieur Popinot.”