Warner said:
"That is villainous, Asticot; do you know it?"
"M'sieu'! I journeyed there only for what was rightfully mine!"
"Yours! What do you mean?"
"Tenez, M'sieu'; that wicked traitor, Wildresse, employed me, did he not? Bon! Would you believe it—never yet has he paid me what he owes me! M'sieu', such trickery, such ingratitude is nauseating! Besides, now that I know he has sold France, I would not touch his filthy money. No!"
He scowled thoughtfully at space, shrugged, continued:
"The question nevertheless remained: how was I to reimburse myself? Tiens! An idea! I remembered that in the cellar of that cabaret my friend, Squelette, and I had discovered a safe.
"That very night, after M'sieu' had escaped us, taking with him M'amzelle Philippa, Squelette and I we drilled into that safe——"
"What!"
Asticot shrugged: