CHAPTER LVII.
DEBTOR AND CREDITOR.
“Now that we have renewed our acquaintance, let us converse,” said Cagliostro.
“Yes,” replied the cardinal, “about the money you wrote of; it was a pretext, was it not?”
“No, monsieur, a serious matter, as it concerns a sum of 500,000 francs.”
“The sum which you lent me?” cried the cardinal, growing pale.
“Yes, monseigneur; I love to see so good a memory in a great prince like you.”
The cardinal felt overwhelmed by the blow. At last, trying to smile, he said:
“I thought that Joseph Balsamo had carried his debt with him to the tomb, as he threw the receipt into the fire.”
“Monseigneur,” replied the count, “the life of Joseph Balsamo is as indestructible as the sheet on which you wrote. Death cannot conquer the elixir of life; fire is powerless against asbestos.”
“I do not understand,” said the cardinal.