Ralph examined it critically.
"Four hundred francs," he said.
"Nonsense! It cost five times that."
"About four times," Ralph said, "when it was new. It is not new, now, and it has to be taken to Germany. If you prefer it, I will carry it to Frankfort; and send it on thence by rail, at ten percent upon its value."
"Yes, I will agree to that," the officer said. "How much will that be?"
"I am content to take it at your own valuation," Ralph said. "The value you set upon the clock was two thousand francs."
There was a laugh among the other officers.
"He has you there, major."
"Not at all," the officer said. "He shall take it at the valuation he placed upon it--four hundred francs."
"Pardon me," Ralph said, "I did not value it at that sum, I only offered to give that sum for it; besides which, that was an estimate of the value I set upon it at Viroflay, not the value I should set upon it at Frankfort.