Il savait trouver, " he knew that he would find

30. pontifiait à la buvette. Pontifier is not a word known to the French Academy. It is used hère in a sarcastic way, meaning " to perform pontifical or priestly duties." Courcier was solemnly ranting.

31. taillait des croupières au gouvernement, "eut out work for the government*'; prepared difficulties. Tailler des croupières is said of cavalrymen pursuing otbers so closely that they are able to eut the cruppers of the fugitives.