“What a reason! And what would you like me to do?”
“Guard him for me; for me alone, do you understand?”
“In exchange for what?”
“In exchange for the life of General Trebassof, if I must put it that way.”
“Eh? The life of General Trebassof! You speak as if it belonged to you, as if you could dispose of it.”
Rouletabille laid his hand on Koupriane’s arm.
“Perhaps that’s so,” said he.
“Would you like me to tell you one thing, Monsieur Rouletabille? It is that General Trebassof’s life, after what has just escaped the lips of this Touman, who is not Touman, isn’t worth any more than—than yours if you remain here. Since you are disposed not to do anything more in this affair, take the train, monsieur, take the train, and go.”
Rouletabille walked back and forth, very much worked up; then suddenly he stopped short.
“Impossible,” he said. “It is impossible. I cannot; I am not able to go yet.”