"True."
"She came back in a very ill humor, and gave me this for monsieur."
And Paul handed Tobie two five-franc pieces and one of two francs.
"Twelve francs!" he cried. "What does this mean? twelve francs for a superb silk-lined paletot, with a velvet collar! Messenger, she must have given you more than this."
Paul repressed with difficulty an angry retort, and handed Tobie a slip of paper, saying:
"No, monsieur; there wasn't any more money, but she gave me this paper with it, which will prove that I have handed you all that I received."
The paper was the Mont-de-Piété ticket. Tobie read it, and muttered:
"The Arabs! twelve francs! only twelve francs for a luxurious garment which cost me a hundred and nineteen! However, I won't let them keep it long, to teach them—— All right, my boy, all right!"
And Monsieur Pigeonnier started to go away without paying the messenger. He thought better of it, however, went back to Paul, and put a ten-sou piece in his hand.
"Here, my boy," he said; "here's your money."