Jealous of the bailiff's means, he watched him narrowly.

The neighbors reproached him for his intimacy with "Judas"; but the sly old farmer, wishing to obtain a twelve years' lease, was really lying in wait for an opportunity to serve either the government or Malin, who distrusted Michu.

Violette, by the help of the game-keeper of Gondreville and others belonging to the estate, kept Malin informed of all Michu's actions.

Malin had endeavored, fruitlessly, to win over Marianne, the Michus' servant-woman; but Violette and his satellites heard everything from Gaucher,--a lad on whose fidelity Michu relied, but who betrayed him for cast-off clothing, waistcoats, buckles, cotton socks and sugar-plums.

The boy had no suspicion of the importance of his gossip.
Violette in his reports blackened all Michu's actions and gave them a criminal aspect by absurd suggestions,--unknown, of course, to the bailiff, who was aware, however, of the base part played by the farmer, and took delight in mystifying him.
"You must have a deal of business at Bellache to be here again," said Michu.
"Again! is that meant as a reproach, Monsieur Michu ?--Hey! I did not know you had that gun.