"Possibly. I have not yet made up my account."
"Well, at all events, I lost all that you won."
"Excuse me," said M. de Morin, very curtly, "I do not admit that. Counters have very properly been brought into use in clubs in order to avoid all disputes between the players. Consequently, my dear sir, you do not owe me a farthing, not a single farthing. I have in my drawer a larger number of counters, which I shall take with me to the Club when I go there, either to-night or to-morrow, and, in exchange for them, the Club, my sole debtor, will give me bank notes."
"The Club," said M. Delange, nervously, "will reply, or will cause you to be informed, that as the accounts for the game in question have not been settled, it is not in a position to pay you."
"In that case I shall complain to the Committee. As for you. Doctor, you will have no reproaches from me. I assure you, once more, that I do not look upon you as my debtor."
"Be it so; but the Club will look upon me as its debtor, and, as we have already said, that means being posted."
"What on earth do you want me to do?" exclaimed M. de Morin.
"I want you—I want you—" replied M. Delange, hesitating. "I do not know how to put it, but there is a way—"
"What is it?"
"The only plan is for you, when you hand in your counters, not to ask for any money in exchange, but to say merely that you and I have arranged everything between ourselves. I shall be your debtor all the same, your understand, and I give you my word of honour to pay you as soon as I possibly can."