“Why should there be any doubt on that point?” asked the lawyer. “Do all my repeated assurances count as nothing?”
“We do not want promises now; what we do want is good faith and real co-operation.”
“Can it be that you—”
“I ought to inform you,” continued Mascarin, unheeding the interruption, “that we have every prospect of success; and, if we carry the matter through, we shall certainly have a million apiece.”
Hortebise had not the calm patience of his confederate, and exclaimed,—
“You understand it well enough. Say Yes or No.”
Catenac was in the agonies of indecision, and for fully a minute made no reply.
“No, then!” he broke out in a manner which betrayed his intense agitation. “After due consideration, and having carefully weighed the chances for and against, I answer you decidedly, No.”
Mascarin and Hortebise evidently expected this reply, and exchanged glances.
“Permit me to explain,” said Catenac, “what you consider as a cowardly withdrawal upon my part—”