The doctor did not argue this point, but merely murmured,—
“Let us hope that it is so.”
“Should we have any opposition,” resumed Mascarin, “it will come from Catenac. I may be able to force him into co-operation with us, but his heart will not be in the enterprise.”
“Do you propose to bring Catenac into this affair?” asked Hortebise in great surprise.
“Assuredly.”
“Why have you changed your plan?”
“Simply because I have recognized the fact that, if we dispensed with his services, we should be entirely at the mercy of a shrewd man of business, because——”
He broke off, listened for a moment, and then said,—
“Hush! I can hear his footstep.”
A dry cough was heard outside, and in another moment Catenac entered the room.