Paul smiled like a man who receives a compliment. Veracity was not his point of honour. Rather, it was smartness; and to have "done" this rich and masterful white man seemed an achievement to be proud of. He stroked his beardless cheeks with a simper of gratified vanity, and fairly laughed at last, so tickled was he by the recollection of his cleverness.
"No! my fine fellow, you don't come it over me again like that!--no use supposing it. But I'll tell you what I _will_ do, for I like you, you see, Paul; though I know you're a rascal. I have been thinking that if that child were to die it would be bad for you. You could not try it on with me any more by threatening to carry the kid home to its people, and so your pension would come to an end, and you'd have to go to work. How would you like that, Paul, you idle dog, after all these years? So I have been thinking that if that were to happen--the kid's death, you know--and you could bring me some proof, I would give you a lump sum and have done with you."
"You give thousand dollars?--dollars down?"
"You will tell me how it all happened, and I shall know how to verify the fact."
"No, no! Make _me_ sure. Thousand dollars."
"Ha! I see. You want some assurance that I will pay what I say? Don't see what more assurance I can give than to say so, or what more you should want. Have I not kept my word with you before?"
"Ouff"--and Paul plunged into thought where he stood, while Ralph, impatient to be rid of him, collected his papers and locked them in his desk, rose, and took his hat and gloves, as if about to go home.
This brought Paul's reflections to a point. He turned to Ralph with a grin and a grunt, and held out his hand.
"Thousand dollars!" he said with another grunt; and when Ralph, supposing it a fashion of leave-taking, laid some of his fingers rather gingerly on the extended palm, he caught and shook them eagerly, saying:
"Dead! When? Where? Tell me all about it."
"Ten year--Day 'twas took. Come, see, if you will. _Au-dessous du plancher_ at my _cabane_--Thousand dollars!" and he held out his hand again.
"Ten years ago! And you have been drawing money from me for that child's support all this time? And never told!"
Paul looked gratified, and drew himself up like modest genius when at length its merit is brought to light. Then he chuckled and moved his fingers as if to poke Ralph in the ribs. The idea of Ralph's having been so completely fooled was too delicious.