"Here are the fifty louis."
"I see them," said Owen, passing his tongue over his lips, like a thirsty dog.
"At every answer you make to a question of mine, I either add ten louis if it is important, or take them away if it is unimportant and stupid."
Owen started; he did not like the terms.
"Now," said Dubois, "let us talk. What place have you come from?"
"Direct from Nantes."
"With whom?"
"With the Chevalier Gaston de Chanlay."
These being preliminary questions, the pile remained undisturbed.
"Listen!" said Dubois.