He folded the telegram and placed it carefully in his pocket. Then he fell again into a meditation punctuated by frequent chuckles. But at the end of a very few minutes, Monsieur Pelletan was back again, with a thin little notary in tow, and the necessary papers were soon drawn up.
"You have only to sign, monsieur," said the notary, after he had finished reading them aloud, and he handed his formidable pen to Rushford.
Monsieur Pelletan rubbed his hands together nervously as the American hesitated and looked at him.
"It's not too late to draw out," remarked Rushford. "If you're not satisfied—"
"I haf no tesire to traw out, monsieur," protested Pelletan, quickly. "I am entirely satisfied!"
"I have one other condition to make," added the American.
"What iss eet, monsieur?" questioned Pelletan, looking at him apprehensively.
"You understand I'm to be a silent partner in this thing."
"A—?"
"A silent partner—in other words, nobody's to know I'm backing you unless I choose to tell them—absolutely no one. Do you agree?"