The next morning Graham sent for M. Renard, and consulted with that
experienced functionary as to the details of the plan of action which he
had revolved during the hours of a sleepless night.
"In conformity with your advice," said he, "not to expose myself to the
chance of future annoyance, by confiding to a man so dangerous as the
false Lebeau my name and address, I propose to take the lodging offered
to me, as Mr. Lamb, an attorney's clerk, commissioned to get in certain
debts, and transact other matters of business, on behalf of his
employer's clients. I suppose there will be no difficulty with the
police in this change of name, now that passports for the English are not
necessary?"
"Certainly not. You will have no trouble in that respect."
"I shall thus be enabled very naturally to improve acquaintance with the
professional letter-writer, and find an easy opportunity to introduce the
name of Louise Duval. My chief difficulty, I fear, not being a practical
actor, will be to keep up consistently the queer sort of language I have
adopted, both in French and in English. I have too sharp a critic in a
man so consummate himself in stage trick and disguise as M. Lebeau not
to feel the necessity of getting through my role as quickly as I can.
Meanwhile, can you recommend me to some _magasin_ where I can obtain a
suitable change of costume? I can't always wear a travelling suit, and I
must buy linen of coarser texture than mine, and with the initials of my
new name inscribed on it."
"Quite right to study such details; I will introduce you to a magasin
near the Temple, where you will find all you want."
"Next, have you any friends or relations in the provinces unknown to M.
Lebeau, to whom I might be supposed to write about debts or business
matters, and from whom I might have replies?"
"I will think over it, and manage that for you very easily. Your letters
shall find their way to me, and I will dictate the answers."
After some further conversation on that business, M. Renard made an
appointment to meet Graham at a cafe near the, Temple later in the
afternoon, and took his departure.
Graham then informed his _laquais de place_ that, though he kept on his
lodgings, he was going into the country for a few days, and should not
want the man's services till he returned. He therefore dismissed and
paid him off at once, so that the laquais might not observe, when he
quitted his rooms the next day, that he took with him no change of
clothes, etc.