He shut his eyes for an instant and then, suddenly, said to Gabriel:
"How much?"
And, when the other did not appear to understand, he grew irritated:
"I mean what I say. How much? Answer me, can't you? We drive the same trade, you and I. I steal, thou stealest, we steal. So we ought to come to terms: that's what we are here for. Well? Is it a bargain? Shall we clear out together. I will give you a post in my gang, an easy, well-paid post. How much do you want for yourself? Ten thousand? Twenty thousand? Fix your own price; don't be shy. There's plenty to be had for the asking."
An angry shiver passed through his frame as he saw the impassive face of his keeper:
"Oh, the beggar won't even answer! Why, you can't have been so fond of old Dugrival as all that! Listen to me: if you consent to release me...."
But he interrupted himself. The young man's eyes wore the cruel expression which he knew so well. What was the use of trying to move him?
"Hang it all!" he snarled. "I'm not going to croak here, like a dog! Oh, if I could only...."
Stiffening all his muscles, he tried to burst his bonds, making a violent effort that drew a cry of pain from him; and he fell back upon his bed, exhausted.
"Well, well," he muttered, after a moment, "it's as the widow said: my goose is cooked. Nothing to be done. De profundis, Lupin."