The Châtelet Apprentice Read Online Free
Author: Jean-François Parot
what integrity is?â
For once Nicolas dived straight in.
âIt is, Monsieur, scrupulously fulfilling the duties of an honest man and â¦â
âSo he can speak! Good. He still sounds rather schoolboyish but heâs not wrong. You will need to be discreet and cautious, be able to learn things and to forget things, and be capable of drawing secrets out of people. You will need to learn to write reports about the cases assigned to you, and in an elegant style. You will have to pick up on what youâre told and guess what youâre not told and, finally, to follow up the slightest lead you may have.â
He emphasised his words by raising his forefinger.
âThat is not all: you must also be a fair and faithful witness to all you see, without weakening its significance or altering it one jot. Bear in mind, Monsieur, that on your exactness will depend the life and honour of men who, even if they may be the lowest of the low, must be treated according to the rules. You really are very young. I wonder ⦠But then again so was your godfather when at your age he crossed the lines under enemy fire at the siege of Philipsbourg. He was with Marshal Berwick, who lost his life in the action. And I myself â¦â
He seemed deep in thought and, for the first time, Nicolas saw a flicker of compassion light up his face.
âYou will need to be vigilant, swift, active, incorruptible. Yes, above all incorruptible.â (Here he hit the preciousmarquetry of the desk with the palm of his hand). âGo, Monsieur,â concluded Sartine, rising to his feet, âfrom now on you are in the Kingâs service. Ensure we are always satisfied with you.â
Nicolas bowed and took the letter that was held out to him. He was near the door when the mocking little voice stopped him with a laugh:
âReally, Monsieur, you are admirably dressed for someone from Lower Brittany but youâre in Paris now. Go to Vachon, my tailor in Rue Vieille-du-Temple. Get him to make you some coats, undergarments and accessories.â
âI do not â¦â
âOn my account, Monsieur, on my account. Let it not be said that I left the godson of my friend Ranreuil in rags. A handsome godson, to tell the truth. Be off with you and always be at the ready.â
Â
Nicolas was relieved when he reached the river again. He took in a deep breath of the cold air. He felt he had survived this first ordeal, even if some of what Sartine had said was bound to worry him a little. He rushed back to the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites, where the good monk was waiting for him whilst furiously pounding some innocent plants.
Grégoire had to temper Nicolasâs enthusiasm and managed to dissuade him from going off to Commissioner Lardinâs residence that very evening. Although the watchmen did their rounds the streets were dangerous; he was afraid that Nicolas might lose his way and attract trouble, especially in the dark.
He tried to dampen the young manâs eagerness by asking fora blow-by-blow account of his audience with the Lieutenant General of Police. He made Nicolas go over the smallest detail and drew out the proceedings by adding his own comments and asking more questions. He constantly alighted on points requiring further explanation.
Inwardly, and despite his original foreboding, Père Grégoire marvelled at how Monsieur de Sartine had so quickly been able to turn this unknown provincial boy, still overawed by the great city, into an instrument of his police force. He rightly assumed that beneath this near miracle, performed with such speed, there lurked a mystery whose complexities he did not understand. He therefore looked on Nicolas with amazement, as if he were a creature of his own making who was now suddenly beyond his control. It made him feel sad, but not bitter, and he punctuated his remarks with âGod have mercyâ and âThis is beyond meâ, repeated ad infinitum
For once Nicolas dived straight in.
âIt is, Monsieur, scrupulously fulfilling the duties of an honest man and â¦â
âSo he can speak! Good. He still sounds rather schoolboyish but heâs not wrong. You will need to be discreet and cautious, be able to learn things and to forget things, and be capable of drawing secrets out of people. You will need to learn to write reports about the cases assigned to you, and in an elegant style. You will have to pick up on what youâre told and guess what youâre not told and, finally, to follow up the slightest lead you may have.â
He emphasised his words by raising his forefinger.
âThat is not all: you must also be a fair and faithful witness to all you see, without weakening its significance or altering it one jot. Bear in mind, Monsieur, that on your exactness will depend the life and honour of men who, even if they may be the lowest of the low, must be treated according to the rules. You really are very young. I wonder ⦠But then again so was your godfather when at your age he crossed the lines under enemy fire at the siege of Philipsbourg. He was with Marshal Berwick, who lost his life in the action. And I myself â¦â
He seemed deep in thought and, for the first time, Nicolas saw a flicker of compassion light up his face.
âYou will need to be vigilant, swift, active, incorruptible. Yes, above all incorruptible.â (Here he hit the preciousmarquetry of the desk with the palm of his hand). âGo, Monsieur,â concluded Sartine, rising to his feet, âfrom now on you are in the Kingâs service. Ensure we are always satisfied with you.â
Nicolas bowed and took the letter that was held out to him. He was near the door when the mocking little voice stopped him with a laugh:
âReally, Monsieur, you are admirably dressed for someone from Lower Brittany but youâre in Paris now. Go to Vachon, my tailor in Rue Vieille-du-Temple. Get him to make you some coats, undergarments and accessories.â
âI do not â¦â
âOn my account, Monsieur, on my account. Let it not be said that I left the godson of my friend Ranreuil in rags. A handsome godson, to tell the truth. Be off with you and always be at the ready.â
Â
Nicolas was relieved when he reached the river again. He took in a deep breath of the cold air. He felt he had survived this first ordeal, even if some of what Sartine had said was bound to worry him a little. He rushed back to the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites, where the good monk was waiting for him whilst furiously pounding some innocent plants.
Grégoire had to temper Nicolasâs enthusiasm and managed to dissuade him from going off to Commissioner Lardinâs residence that very evening. Although the watchmen did their rounds the streets were dangerous; he was afraid that Nicolas might lose his way and attract trouble, especially in the dark.
He tried to dampen the young manâs eagerness by asking fora blow-by-blow account of his audience with the Lieutenant General of Police. He made Nicolas go over the smallest detail and drew out the proceedings by adding his own comments and asking more questions. He constantly alighted on points requiring further explanation.
Inwardly, and despite his original foreboding, Père Grégoire marvelled at how Monsieur de Sartine had so quickly been able to turn this unknown provincial boy, still overawed by the great city, into an instrument of his police force. He rightly assumed that beneath this near miracle, performed with such speed, there lurked a mystery whose complexities he did not understand. He therefore looked on Nicolas with amazement, as if he were a creature of his own making who was now suddenly beyond his control. It made him feel sad, but not bitter, and he punctuated his remarks with âGod have mercyâ and âThis is beyond meâ, repeated ad infinitum
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