“I will go up to-night and see Léonie. What next?”

“Monsieur Destival came to see you; he seemed full of business.”

“Oh, yes! he has spoken to me very often lately about an excellent investment in which I can get ten per cent for my money.”

“I advise you to get as large a per cent as you can, monsieur; for we are running through the funds pretty fast.”

“That is true; I must put my affairs in a better condition.”

“Yes, that wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“I have been obliged to sell a farm already.

“Poor farm! When I think of it, it makes me feel sad.”

“Don’t be alarmed, Bertrand, I propose to cut down my expenses after this. I will see Destival, and if he can still find a profitable investment for my money, I shall recover what I have thrown away. Come, my old comrade, no moping; it does no good. I am young and rich. You must agree that I have no reason to despair as yet.”

“That is so, lieutenant; that’s what I said to myself when Schtrack and I were inspecting the cellar, to make sure that everything was all right.”