"What, monsieur? what can I offer the king?"
"His two clerks."
"Why, certainly!" cried the attorney; "certainly, and with great pleasure. Let your friend take them both. I give them to him; they are two delightful fellows."
"One of them seemed a mere child."
"Fifteen, monsieur; he's fifteen; and a first-class performer on the drum.—Fricotin, step this way," he shouted.
Cauvignac made a gesture with his hand, indicating that he desired Monsieur Fricotin to be left where he was.
"What of the other?" he asked.
"Eighteen, monsieur; five feet six inches tall, aspiring to become a porter at Saint-Sauveur, and, consequently, already familiar with the mode of handling a halberd.—This way, Chalumeau."
"But he squints horribly, unless I am much mistaken," said Cauvignac, making a second gesture similar to the first.