“But, my dear la Peyrade,” said Dutocq, “why take this bitter tone?”
Pulling from his pocket a portfolio, la Peyrade said:—
“Have you those notes with you, Dutocq?”
“Faith! no, my dear fellow,” replied Dutocq, “I don’t carry them about with me; besides, they are in Cerizet’s hands.”
“Well,” said the barrister, rising, “whenever you come to my house I’ll pay you on the nail, as Cerizet can tell you.”
“What! are you going to leave us without your coffee?” said Cerizet, amazed to the last degree.
“Yes; I have an arbitration case at eight o’clock. Besides, we have said all we had to say. You haven’t your lease, but you’ve got your twenty five thousand francs in full, and those of Dutocq are ready for him whenever he chooses to come to my office. I see nothing now to prevent me from going where my private business calls me, and I therefore very cordially bid you good-bye.”
“Ah ca! Dutocq,” cried Cerizet, as la Peyrade disappeared, “this means a rupture.”
“Prepared with the utmost care,” added Dutocq. “Did you notice the air with which he pulled out that pocket-book?”
“But where the devil,” said the usurer, “could he have got the money?”