CROSSING PARIS
567
they plunged into it one behind the other, grazing the walls to profit
by a line of shadow that bordered the houses. It was not until after
the second turning that Martin gave vent to his displeasure.
"A nice mess we're in, you played a fine trick, something to be
proud of. I'm certain they'll arrest us in a few minutes, and you know
what that will mean, after what you did to the cop."
"I don't see what's worrying you so much. The cop has enough
to last him a while."
"That's what you think," sneered Martin. "As soon as he opens
his eyes, he's going to grab his whistle. In five minutes more, all the
police in the third arrondissement will be after us."
"That would surprise me-because I have
his
whistle in my
pocket." .
Martin could not keep from admiring the ram's presence of
mind, but he took care not to show it. He blamed Grandgil for
having taken, in a delicate situation, an initiative that belonged to
his, Martin's, authority. "To do this to me, and in my own neigh–
borhood." Panting, he controlled his anger for the purpose of saving
his breath, always imagining that he heard coming behind him the
steps of the whole police force.
"No use killing yourself," said Grandgil, "I don't hear anything."
"If
their bicycle cops are waiting for us at the next crossing,
you don't suppose they'd be sounding a hunting horn!"
"Say no more. As far as I'm concerned, it's all over. The affair
couldn't have turned out better."
"Except that, thanks to you, I may find myself jailed in my own
ward. But you don't give a damn for that. I was stringing the cop
right along, and without a bit of trouble. I guess you were put out
about that."
"It wasn't that, but I wanted to amuse myself a little, don't
you see?"
"What's that? So, it's the hell with me, as far as you're con–
cerned,
is
it?"
"You're getting tiresome, I assure you," sighed Grandgil.
"Say, I'm getting fed up with the way you talk. Amusing your–
self at some one else's expense, that's fine. And gold teeth, they're
fine too. But there are also such things as decency and consideration
for others."
