"Biscarros," he repeated; "isn't he an inn-keeper in the outskirts of
Libourne?"
"Just so,--between Libourne and Saint-Martin-de-Cubzac."
"At the sign of the Golden Calf?"
"The same. Do you know him?"
"A little."
"The villain! to get judgment against me for a sum--"
"Which you didn't owe him?"
"Oh! yes. I owed it--but I hoped never to pay it."
"I understand; it's very hard."
"For that reason, I give you my word that I would much rather see the
money in your hands than in his."
"If that is so, I think you will be content."
"But my receipt?"
"Come with us, and you shall have it in due form."
"How will you go to work to get it?"
"That's my affair."
They pursued their journey toward Orléans, where they arrived two hours
later. The tradesman conducted his captors to the inn nearest his
attorney's office. It was a frightful den, with the appropriate name of
the Dove of the Ark.
"Now," said he, "what are we to do? I would be very glad not to part
from my four thousand livres except as against a receipt."
"Don't let that disturb you. Do you know your attorney's handwriting?"
"Perfectly."
"When we bring you his receipt, you will make no objection to handing
the money over to us?"
"None! But my attorney will never give his receipt without the money; I
know him too well."
"I will advance the sum," said Cauvignac. As he spoke he took from
his wallet four thousand livres, half in louis, and the rest in
half-pistoles, and arranged them in piles before the wondering eyes of
the tradesman.
"Now," said he, "tell us your attorney's name."
"Master Rabodin."
"Very good; take a pen and write."
The tradesman obeyed.
"MASTER RABODIN,--I send you the four thousand livres,
damages and costs due upon the judgment in favor of Master
Biscarros, whom I strongly suspect of a purpose to make an
improper use of it. Be kind enough to hand the bearer your
receipt--"
"What next?" queried the tradesman.
"Date and sign it."
The tradesman did as he was bid.
"Now," said Cauvignac to Ferguzon, "take this letter and money,
disguise yourself as a miller, and call upon the attorney."
"What shall I do there?"
"Give him the money and take his receipt."
"Is that all?"
"That's all."
"I don't understand."
"So much the better! the errand will be done all the better for that."
Ferguzon's confidence in his captain was unbounded, so he walked toward
the door without another word.
"Order up some wine, and of the best," said Cauvignac; "monsieur must
be thirsty."
Ferguzon bowed and went out. Within the half-hour he returned, and
found Cauvignac at table with the tradesman, both doing honor to that
famous Orléans wine which rejoiced the Gascon palate of Henri IV.
"Well?" said Cauvignac, inquiringly.
"Here is the receipt."
"Is that what you desire?"
And Cauvignac passed the piece of stamped paper to the tradesman.
"Precisely."
"Is the receipt in proper form?"
"It is."
"Then you have no objection to giving me your money in exchange for it?"
"None at all."
"Give it me, then."
The tradesman counted out the four thousand livres. Cauvignac placed
them in his bag, where they replaced the four thousand recently taken
therefrom.
"And now my release is paid for, is it?"
"_Mon Dieu_, yes, unless you absolutely insist upon serving."
"No, not personally; but--"
"But what? Let us hear," said Cauvignac. "I have a presentiment that we
sha'n't part until we have done some more business together."
"It is very possible," said the tradesman, whose serenity was
completely restored the instant the receipt was in his hands. "I have a
nephew--"
"Aha!"
"A stubborn, troublesome fellow."
"Of whom you would gladly be rid?"
"No, not just that; but who would make an excellent soldier, I am sure."
"Send him to me, and I'll make a hero of him."
"You will take charge of him?"
"With pleasure."
"I have also a godson, a deserving lad, who is anxious to take orders,
and for whom I am obliged to pay heavily for board."
"So that you would prefer that he should take the musket, eh? Send me
the godson and the nephew; it will cost you only five hundred livres
for the two."
"Five hundred livres! I don't understand."
"Why, of course, they have to pay on entering the company."
"Then why did you make me pay for the privilege of not entering it?"
"There were special reasons for that. Your nephew and your godson will
pay two hundred and fifty livres each, and you will never hear of them
again."
"The devil! that's an alluring prospect, do you know? They will be well
cared for?"
"I give you my word that when they have once tasted service under my
orders, they wouldn't change places with the Emperor of China. Ask
these good fellows how I keep them. Tell him, Barrabas; tell him,
Carrotel."
"In truth," said Barrabas, "we live like lords."
"And how are they clothed? Look for yourself."
Carrotel executed a pirouette in order to exhibit his resplendent
costume from every point of view.
"Certainly there is nothing to be said in the matter of equipment,"
said the tradesman.
"So you will send me your two youths?"
"I am very anxious to do so. Do you make a long stay here?"
"No, we shall leave to-morrow morning; but we will go slowly so that
they may overtake us. Give us the five hundred livres and the bargain's
made."
"I have only two hundred and fifty."
"Give them the other two hundred and fifty; indeed that will furnish
you with an excuse for sending them to me; if you had no pretext for
sending them they might suspect something."
"But they may say that one of them alone can do the errand."
"You must tell them that the roads are not safe, and give them each
twenty-five livres; that will be by way of advance on their pay."
The tradesman stared at him in wondering admiration.
"Upon my word," said he, "it takes a soldier to find a way out of every
difficulty!"
Having counted out the two hundred and fifty livres to Cauvignac, he
withdrew, overjoyed to have found an opportunity to be rid, for five
hundred livres, of a nephew and godson who cost him more than two
hundred pistoles a year.