"It is this: listen to me carefully—what I am going to say is very serious for you."
"I am listening, my lord."
"Here is a letter all ready written for the Duc de Bellegarde. You will start at once for Paris, passing through Toulon, where you will cash this draft for 2000 livres, to cover your expenses. The Duke is sincerely attached to me. For my sake he will receive you kindly: you will come to an understanding with him, and obey him in everything he orders."
"Yes, yes, my lord."
"And if within a month from this time at the latest—"
"From this time at the latest—" the Governor repeated, panting with impatience.
"You bring me here my full and entire—pardon, signed by H. M. Louis XIII.—"
"What?" the Governor exclaimed, with a start of surprise.
"I will at once pay you," the Count continued, coldly, "the sum of 50,000 livres, to indemnify you for the loss my liberation must entail on you."
"Fifty thousand livres!" the Major exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with greed.