"I have not a denier in my pockets," said the Chevalier, with a short laugh.
"Not at present, perhaps," replied Du Puys. "But one does not lose forty thousand livres in a night, and that, I understand, is your revenue."
"I lost them to-night," quietly.
"Forty thousand livres?" gasped the soldier. "You have lost a fortune, then?" annoyed.
"Yes; and more than that, I have lost the source from which they came, these forty thousand livres. I see that you are mystified. Perhaps you will learn in the morning how I came to lose this fortune. Will you accept my sword?"
"Monsieur," answered Du Puys, "you are in wine. Come to me in the morning; you will have changed your mind."
"And if not?"
"Then I shall give you a place in the company. But, word of honor, I do not understand …"
"It is not necessary that you should. The question is, is my past record as a soldier sufficient?"
"Your courage is well known, Monsieur."