"That's my affair."
They pursued their journey toward Orléans, where they arrived two hours later. The tradesman conducted his captors to the inn nearest his attorney's office. It was a frightful den, with the appropriate name of the Dove of the Ark.
"Now," said he, "what are we to do? I would be very glad not to part from my four thousand livres except as against a receipt."
"Don't let that disturb you. Do you know your attorney's handwriting?"
"Perfectly."
"When we bring you his receipt, you will make no objection to handing the money over to us?"
"None! But my attorney will never give his receipt without the money; I know him too well."
"I will advance the sum," said Cauvignac. As he spoke he took from his wallet four thousand livres, half in louis, and the rest in half-pistoles, and arranged them in piles before the wondering eyes of the tradesman.
"Now," said he, "tell us your attorney's name."