“I have in front of me the list of names of the workers on the tower,” continued Eiffel. “As I promised, they will be painted on a plaque where they may be seen. But I cannot bring myself to add your name to the list. Do you understand? You will receive your bonus of a hundred francs, but no public recognition.”

Thomas nodded. He did not look up. He could not speak.

“That is all,” said the builder of the tower.

Thomas had seen Édith only once since the accident. He had met her as usual outside the lycée. She had been off work for a couple of days, she told him, and she wouldn’t be free that Sunday. He wanted to talk a little about what had happened, but she seemed preoccupied, and he left feeling uncertain about where he stood with her.

So it was not surprising if, up on Montmartre that Sunday, his family found him rather subdued. Was everything all right at work, his father asked?

“Not bad,” he replied. “Monsieur Eiffel himself told me I’d be getting my bonus at the end.”

“And your name written up,” his father said proudly.

Thomas changed the subject.

“I’ll be looking for work again, as soon as I’m finished on the tower,” he reminded them.

In the afternoon, he went for a walk with his brother.

“How’s Édith?” asked Luc.

“All right.”

“That’s good.” It seemed to Thomas that his brother had something he’d been waiting to tell him. But they walked on in silence for a little way before Luc asked him casually: “Have you seen the posters for the Wild West show?”

One could hardly miss them. They seemed to be sprouting on every billboard in Paris. A huge buffalo, racing across the prairie, took up most of the picture. Inset on his powerful body, however, was an oval portrait of the handsome and unmistakable features of Colonel W. F. Cody, Buffalo Bill himself, with beard, mustache and cowboy hat, and underneath him just two words in French.

Je Viens: I am coming.

Everyone had heard of Buffalo Bill’s circus. It had already had a triumphant tour in England. People might not be sure exactly what the spectacle entailed, but it was known to be exotic, and exciting. It would be one of the biggest side attractions of the Universal Exposition.

“I was given a couple of tickets,” said Luc. “Thought you might like them. You could take Édith.” He pulled a little packet out of his pocket, carefully extracted two tickets and handed them to Thomas to see. Thomas stared at them.

“But this is for the grand opening! How in the world did you get them?”

“A gentleman gave them to me.” Luc grinned. “I’d helped him with something.”

“But you should go,” protested Thomas.

“No. I want you to have them.”

“But they’re for the grand opening,” Thomas repeated.

“That’s right,” said Luc.