“Remember, too, that with the twelve thousand francs you will get, you can make up all your losses. I have discovered a sure way of winning; you only need three hundred louis to catch a thousand.”
“Really?”
“On my word as an honest man; I will teach you my scheme, and we will share the profits.”
“That is really attractive,” said Dufresne, examining the note closely, while Lampin filled Edouard’s glass with rum, and he began to lose command of his wits.
“You say, Lampin, that you know a man who would discount your friend’s note?”
“Yes, he knows that it is all right. It can’t look suspicious to him, I tell you; he will think that the inheritance was larger, that’s all.”
“True,” said Dufresne; “who will ever know about it? It is a secret between ourselves.”
“And our conscience?” faltered Edouard.
“Oh! damn! What an ass he is with his conscience! Do you think you’re talking to small boys?”
“The most essential thing,” continued Dufresne, “is to succeed. For my part, if Monbrun will write the body of the note, I will look after the signature, and I will take the whole thing on myself.”