"Believe, then," said the Citizen Théodore, putting ten louis into the man's hand.
"The devil!" said he, regarding the gold by the light of the lantern. "Is it, then, serious?"
"It could not be more so."
"What must I do?"
"Meet me to-morrow at Noah's Well; I will then tell you what I require of you. What is your name?"
"Gracchus."
"Well, Citizen Gracchus, get yourself dismissed from here to-morrow by the keeper Richard."
"Dismissed! give up my place!"
"Do you reckon on remaining a turnkey, with fifty thousand francs?"
"No, but being a turnkey and poor, I am certain of not being guillotined."