Canolles hastily felt in his pockets.
"Upon my word, my purse has disappeared," he said. "Who has taken my purse?"
"I, monsieur," replied Barrabas with a low bow.
"Why did you do it?"
"So that monsieur could not corrupt me."
Canolles stared at the honest keeper in open-mouthed admiration, and as the argument seemed to admit of no reply, he made none.
The result was that the travellers relapsed into silence, and the journey, as it drew near its close, resumed the depressing characteristics which marked its beginning.