"But you might give something for it, to-night, sweet Alexis, if you knew it was in danger?"
"I have no fear; Conrad Ferrate has too often conducted a train for me to fear to-night."
"True, my good Alexis; but this is the last train he will ride with as guard, for to-morrow he will be the Count Spezzato."
"How? To-morrow? You joke, Conrad. The brandy was strong; but you who have drunk so much could hardly feel that."
"I neither joke, nor am I drunk; yet I shall be Count Spezzato to-morrow, good Alexis. Look you, my gentle fox, my sweet fox; if you do not buy your life of me, you shall die tonight. That is simple, sweet fox."
"Ay; but, Conrad, I am not in danger."
"Nay, Alexis; see, here is the door" (I heard him turn the handle). "If you lean against the door, you will fall out and be killed. Is it not simple?"
"But, good Conrad, I shall not lean against the door."
"Oh, my sweet fox, my cunning fox, my timid fox, but not my strong fox; you will lean against the door. I know you will, unless I prevent you; and I will not prevent you, unless you give me all you have in that bag."
The mocking tone of the guard seemed well understood, for I heard the click of gold.