Inter pocula each candidate had learned the secret of the farce, and the revelation inspired him with the desire to hoax his successor.
We see now why Oscar, become in his turn participator in the hoax, called out to the little clerk, "Forward, the book!" Ten minutes later a handsome young man, with a fine figure and pleasant face, presented himself, asked for Monsieur Desroches, and gave his name without hesitation to Godeschal.
"I am Frederic Marest," he said, "and I come to take the place of third clerk." "Monsieur Husson," said Godeschal to Oscar, "show monsieur his seat and tell him about the customs of the office." The next day the new clerk found the register lying on his desk.

He took it up, but after reading a few pages he began to laugh, said nothing to the assembled clerks, and laid the book down again.
"Messieurs," he said, when the hour of departure came at five o'clock, "I have a cousin who is head clerk of the notary Maitre Leopold Hannequin; I will ask his advice as to what I ought to do for my welcome." "That looks ill," cried Godeschal, when Frederic had gone, "he hasn't the cut of a novice, that fellow!" "We'll get some fun out of him yet," said Oscar..