Page 119 - down-and-out-in-paris-and-london

XIX

ne day, when we had been at the Hotel X five or six
Oweeks, Boris disappeared without notice. In the eve-
ning I found him waiting for me in the Rue de Rivoli. He
slapped me gaily on the shoulder.
‘Free at last, MON AMI! You can give notice in the morn-
ing. The Auberge opens tomorrow.’
‘Tomorrow?’
‘Well, possibly we shall need a day or two to arrange
things. But, at any rate, no more CAFETERIA! NOUS
SOMMES LANCES, MON AMI! My tail coat is out of pawn
already.’
His manner was so hearty that I felt sure there was some-
thing wrong, and I did not at all want to leave my safe and
comfortable job at the hotel. However, I had promised Bo-
ris, so I gave notice, and the next morning at seven went
down to the Auberge de Jehan Cottard. It was locked, and I
went in search of Boris, who had once more bolted from his
lodgings and taken a room in the rue de la Groix Nivert. I
found him asleep, together with a girl whom he had picked
up the night before, and who he told me was ‘of a very sym-
pathetic temperament.’ As to the restaurant, he said that it
was all arranged; there were only a few little things to be
seen to before we opened.
At ten I managed to get Boris out of bed, and we un-

11 Down and Out in Paris and London