"So much the better, monsieur; so much the better! You can make him do sentry duty; and as he squints out, he can see both to right and left, while an ordinary man can only see straight ahead."
"That's an advantage, I agree; but you understand that the king is in sore straits financially; pleading with cannon-balls is much more costly than pleading with words. The king cannot burden himself with the equipment of these two youngsters; it's quite all he can do to undertake to train and pay them."
"Monsieur," said Rabodin, "if that is all that is necessary to prove my devotion to the king—why, I will make the sacrifice."
Cauvignac and Barrabas looked at each other.
"What do you think, Monsieur le Receveur?" said Cauvignac.
"I think that monsieur seems to be acting in good faith," Barrabas replied.
"And that we must be considerate with him, eh? Give monsieur a receipt for five hundred livres."
"Five hundred livres!"
"A receipt for that sum to pay for the equipment of two young soldiers, whom Master Rabodin in his zeal offers his Majesty."