“Monsieur Koupriane, I offer it to you again. Life for life. Give me the life of that poor devil and I promise you General Trebassof’s.”
“Explain yourself.”
“Not at all. Do you promise me that you will maintain silence about the case of that man and that you will not touch a hair of his head?”
Koupriane looked at Rouletabille as he had looked at him during the altercation they had on the edge of the Gulf. He decided the same way this time.
“Very well,” said he. “You have my word. The poor devil!”
“You are a brave man, Monsieur Koupriane, but a little quick with the whip...”
“What would you expect? One’s work teaches that.”
“Good morning. No, don’t trouble to show me out. I am compromised enough already,” said Rouletabille, laughing.
“Au revoir, and good luck! Get to work interviewing the President of the Duma,” added Koupriane knowingly, with a great laugh.
But Rouletabille was already gone.