"It appears to me you prefer him dead. But never mind, give me the information. His name and address."
"He is a Frenchman, who has taken the name of Oliver. In appearance he is a hunter, a trapper, anything that comes uppermost. For greater safety he has connected himself with an Indian tribe, and is to be found about the Missouri."
"It is a very long way from the Mexican frontiers," observed the outlaw, in a coldly sarcastic voice.
"True. But the fellow is cunning; his safety requires him to be extremely cautious. Do you accept?"
"I accept on one condition," replied the other. "It is fully understood that he is to be dead, mind."
"No matter, so that we have him."
"Well, then, we are agreed on four hundred thousand francs (£16,000)? I shall want half down."
"I have the money in gold in my valises. I will pay it to you this evening," replied the envoy.
"And now that this is settled, you are in no hurry?"
"None whatever."