"Going for forty crowns," cried the agent.
Montbarts examined with the most serious attention the engagé, whose firm glance he could hardly manage to quell; then, doubtless satisfied with his triumph, he turned to the agent.
"That will do," he said, "hold your row: I buy this man."
"The Olonnais is adjudged to Montbarts the exterminator, for forty crowns," the agent said.
"Here they are," the adventurer answered as he threw a handful of silver on the table; "now come," he ordered the Olonnais, "you are now my engagé."
The latter leapt joyously off the platform and ran up to him.
"So you are Montbarts the exterminator?" he asked him curiously.
"I think you are questioning me," the adventurer said with a laugh, "still, as your question appears to me very natural, I will answer it this time; yes, I am Montbarts."
"In that case I thank you for buying me, Montbarts; with you I am certain soon to become a man."
And at a sign from his new master, he respectfully placed himself behind him.