le petit homme avisé qu'il était à Londres : this

refers to a part of the story whicli is not contained in this édition. Vif- Argent had shown hiniself wide awake in a critical situation in London.

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55. 15. les polissons du cru : dit, cru is ' of native growth ' ;

hence

le vin du cru is ' wine of the country.' cela 71 est jms de son cru, ' that is uot of his own invention.'

56. 2. rubis sur l'ongle : U7i rubis is ' a ruby ' ; or, in this ex-

pression, the last (ruby red) drop of wine that remains in the glass when it is net thorouglily drained, and which you can let fall ou your nail. Note faire ruhis sur l'ongle, ' to drink to the last drop.' ■payer rubis sur l'ongle, 'to pay to the last farthing.'