"Yet if that vagabond of a huissier had not robbed me I should not have been here," said Frank, with concentrated rage.
"Well, well," continued the Gros-Boiteux, "do you mean to say that you were better off when you were breaking your back with work?"
"I was free," retorted Frank.
"Yes, on Sundays and when you were out of work, but the rest of the week you were tied up like a dog, and never sure of employ. Why, you don't know when you are well off."
"Will you teach me?" said Frank, bitterly.
"Well, you've a right to be vexed, for it was shameful to miss such a good stroke; but it is still to be done in a month or two. The people will become reassured, and it is a rich, very rich house. I shall be sentenced for breaking my ban, and so cannot resume the job, but if I find an amateur I will hand it over to him a bargain. My woman has the prints, and there is nothing to do but make new keys, and with the information I can give it must succeed. Why, there must be, at least, 400l. to lay hands on, and that ought to console you, Frank."
Frank shook his head, crossed his hands over his chest, and made no reply.
Cardillac took the Gros-Boiteux by the arms, led him into a corner of the yard, and said to him, after a moment's silence:
"Is the affair you have failed in still good?"
"In two months as good as new."