, but the doctor's appearance was so threatening, and
the smile upon Mascarin's lips was of so deadly a character, that he
stood still, positively frightened into immobility.

"What do you mean?" stammered he; "what is it you say now?"

"First," replied the doctor, speaking slowly and distinctly,--"first, we
wish that you should listen to us when we speak to you."

"I am listening."

"Then sit down again, and hear what Baptiste has to say."

The command Catenac had over his countenance was so great that it was
impossible to see to what conclusion he had arrived from the words and
manner of his confederates.

"Then let Baptiste explain himself," said he.

"Before entering into matters completely," said he coolly, "I first want
to ask our dear friend and associate if he is prepared to act with us?"

"Why should there be any doubt on that point?" asked the lawyer. "Do all
my repeated assurances count as nothing?"

"We do not want promises now; what we do want is good faith and real
co-operation."

"Can it be that you--"

"I ought to inform you," continued Mascarin, unheeding the interruption,
"that we have every prospect of success; and, if we carry the matter
through, we shall certainly have a million apiece."

Hortebise had not the calm patience of his confederate, and exclaimed,--

"You understand it well enough. Say Yes or No."

Catenac was in the agonies of indecision, and for fully a minute made no
reply.

"_No_, then!" he broke out in a manner which betrayed his intense
agitation. "After due consideration, and having carefully weighed the
chances for and against, I answer you decidedly, No."

Mascarin and Hortebise evidently expected this reply, and exchanged
glances.

"Permit me to explain," said Catenac, "what you consider as a cowardly
withdrawal upon my part--"

"Call it treachery."

"I will not quibble about words. I wish to be perfectly straightforward
with you."

"I am glad to hear it," sneered the doctor, "though that is not your
usual form."

"And yet I do not think that I have ever concealed my real opinion from
you. It is fully ten years ago since I spoke to you of the necessity of
breaking up this association. Can you recall what I said? I said only
our extreme need and griping poverty justified our acts. They are now
inexcusable."

"You talked very freely of your scruples," observed Mascarin.

"You remember my words then?"

"Yes, and I remember too that those inner scrupl