CHAPTER XVII
Etretat
We were up at an hour which astonished the little fat keeper of the
inn, and inquired the location of the office of the registrar of
births. It was two steps away in the Rue Alphonse Karr, but would not
be open for three hours, at least. Would messieurs have their coffee
now? No, messieurs would not have their coffee until they returned.
Where would they find the residence of the registrar of births? His
residence, that was another matter. His residence was some little
distance away, near the Casino, at the right--we should ask for Maitre
Fingret--anyone could tell us. When should messieurs be expected to
return? It was impossible to say.
We set off along the street, leaving the inn-keeper staring after
us--along the Rue Alphonse Karr, lined on both sides by houses, each
with its little shop on the ground floor. Three minutes' walk brought
us to the bay, a pretty, even picturesque place, with its
perpendicular cliffs and gayly-colored fishing-smacks. But we paused
for only a glance at it, and turned toward the Casino at the other
end. "Maitre Fingret?" we inquired of the first passer-by, and he
pointed us to a little house, half-hidden in vines.
A knock brought the notary himself to the door, a little dried-up man,
with keen face, and eyes incredibly bright.
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