"Yes," said Cauvignac, "when some one thinks fit to add something to it."
"Who is there, pray, to add anything to it?" asked a voice.
"Not I," said Ferguzon.
"Who, then?" Barrabas asked.
"Pardieu! the first comer. Stay, I see a man yonder on the road. You will see—"
"I understand," said Ferguzon.
"Is that all?" queried Cauvignac.
"And admire."
"Yes," said one of the horsemen, drawing nigh Cauvignac, "yes, I understand that you can always be depended on to keep your promises, captain; but we may lose by being too honest. To-day we are necessary; but if the company is raised to-morrow, officers in the confidence of the princes will be assigned to it, and we, who have had all the trouble of raising it, shall be dismissed."