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"Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very much
astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which had been
intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was glad, for the fee was at
least tenfold what I should have asked had I set a price upon my own services,
and it was possible that this order might lead to other ones. On the other
hand, the face and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon
me, and I could not think that his explanation of the fuller's-earth was
sufficient to explain the necessity for my coming at midnight, and his extreme
anxiety lest I should tell any one of my errand. However, I threw all fears to
the winds, ate a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having
obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue.
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Lorsque j’eus repris mon sang-froid et que j’eus
bien réfléchi à tout cela je trouvai très étrange le
genre de travail qu’on me proposait ainsi. D’un
côté, j’étais assez satisfait, car les honoraires
étaient dix fois supérieurs à ceux que j’aurais pu
demander, et cette commande pouvait m’en amener
d’autres. Mais, de l’autre côté, le visage et les
manières de mon client m’avaient fait mauvaise
impression, et je ne pouvais trouver dans son
histoire de terre à foulon une explication suffisante
à un voyage nocturne ni à un secret aussi absolu.
Enfin, je mis de côté mes appréhensions ;
je dînai de bon appétit, et je m’embarquai à
Paddington, sans avoir dévoilé quoi que ce soit
de mon secret.
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