Chapters XV and XVI Summary

In chapter fifteen, the focus of attention turns back to Noemie and her plan for success. Valentin has learned that she has been seen about with an older man who is bald and deaf, but spends money easily. Valentin believes the girl had been waiting for such a suitor to come all along and had simply held out until this man arrived.

In an effort to find out for himself what is going on with the Nioches, Newman searches them out and finds them in the Café de le Patrie. After a brief conversation with Noemie in which she tells Newman that if Valentin wants information about her, he should come and get it himself, Noemie leaves her father and Newman alone. Although Noemie's father says that he is ashamed of his daughter and angry with her...