"It is true, Monsieur le Duc," said the straightforward counsellor; "we gave Monsieur Cauvignac ten thousand livres by way of advance for the first outlay; but we promised him a hundred crowns per man."
"In that case," said the duke, "we owe the captain thirty-five thousand francs?"
"Just so, monseigneur."
"They will be given you."
"Might it not be done now, Monsieur le Duc?"
"No, impossible."
"Why so?"
"Because you are one of us, and strangers must be settled with first of all. You understand that only those people we fear have to be coaxed."
"An excellent maxim!" said Cauvignac; "in all bargains, however, it is customary to fix a time for payment."
"Very well, let us say a week," said the duke.