540
PARTISAN REVIEW
"I see what you're up to. You want to take advantage of the
situation."
Martin pushed his hat to the back of his head, uncovering a
large pink bald spot. His voice trembled with sincere indignation.
"Lugging a pig from the Boulevard de l'Hopital to Caulain–
court Street, running like a messenger boy all across Paris in the dead
of night, eight kilometers at the least and the Montmartre climb at
the end of it, and everywhere dicks, cops, and Fritzes, all to make
six
hundred francs, do you call that profiteering?"
"I'll give you four hundred francs."
"If
that's your price, go find yourself a bunch of tramps. We
~re
men."
"If
I had known," said the boss in a sharp tone, "I would have
taken the bicyclists I had a chance to get this morning. But I thought
you had to make your living. This is what I get for it."
"It's not too late," replied Martin.
"If
you want two bicyclists,
I'll find them for you right away. They'll be here in half an hour."
Jamblier did not reply to the proposal. For the last two months,
carriers on bicycles had been the object of constant watchfulness on
the part of the police. Their advantage of speed was offset by this
grave inconvenience. In fact, they were more exposed than the
pedestrian carriers and got themselves nabbed oftener. Very familiar
with the hazards of the profession, Jamblier knew that a bicyclist
had nothing but his luck to count upon, whereas a foot traveller
as experienced as Martin, watchful, clever in scenting the approach
of danger and in utilizing the help of darkness, could appreciably
increase his chance of success.
"Four hundred and fifty?" proposed the employer.
Martin shook his head, sure of his right, and determined not
to yield a centime. The other man had no longer any illusions as
to the outcome of the bargaining, and although he still held out,
his
refusals were now nothing more than the reluctant modesty of
his avarice. His growing fear that his pig might remain on his hands
twenty-four hours longer was now changing into panic. Then, when
the game seemed already won, the man with the ram's head, who
had not up to this time uttered a word, broke his silence. He turned
a long, significant look upon the proprietor, insolent amusement
