By instinct, and from the notary’s reputation, Ferrol knew that he was in the presence of an honest man at least, and he waited most anxiously for an answer, for his fate might hang on it.
“M’sieu’, I have not seen her since yesterday morning.”
“Well, what would you do if you found out about the five thousand dollars?”
“I would see what happened to it; and afterwards I would see that a girl of Bonaventure did not marry a Protestant, and a thief.”
Ferrol rose from his chair, coughing a little. Walking over to Shangois, he caught him by both ears and shook the shaggy head back and forth.
“You little scrap of hell,” he said in a rage, “if you ever come within fifty feet of me again I’ll send you where you came from!”
Though Shangois’s eyes bulged from his head, he answered:
“I was only ten feet away from you last night under the elm!”
Suddenly Ferrol’s hand slipped down to Shangois’s throat. Ferrol’s fingers tightened, pressed inwards.
“Now, see, I know what you mean. Some one has robbed Nicolas Lavilette of five thousand dollars. You dare to charge me with it, curse you. Let me see if there’s any more lies on your tongue!”