es never hindered you
from drawing your share of the profits."

"That is to say," burst in the doctor, "you repudiated the work, but
shared the booty. You wished to play the game without staking anything."

Catenac was in no way disconcerted at this trenchant argument.

"Quite true," said he, "I always received my share; but I have done
quite as much as you in putting the agency in its present prosperous
condition. Does it not work smoothly like a perfect piece of mechanism?
Have we not succeeded in nearly all our schemes? The income comes in
monthly with extreme regularity, and I, according to my rights, have
received one-third. If you desire to throw up this perilous means of
livelihood, say so, and I will not oppose it."

"You are really too good," sneered the doctor, with a look of menace in
his glance.

"Nor," continued Catenac, "will I oppose you if you prefer to let
matters stand as they are; but if you start on fresh enterprises, and
embark on the tempestuous sea of danger, then I put down my foot and
very boldly 'halt.' I will not take another step with you. I can see by
the looks of both of you that you think me a fool and a coward. Heaven
grant that the future may not show you only too plainly that I have been
in the right. Think over this. For twenty years fortune has favored us,
but, believe me, it is never wise to tempt her too far, for it is well
known that at some time or other she always turns."

"Your imagery is really charming," remarked Hortebise sarcastically.

"Good, I have nothing else to say but to repeat my warning: _reflect_.
Grand as your hopes and expectations may be, they are as nothing to the
perils that you will encounter."

This cold flood of eloquence was more than the doctor could bear.

"It is all very well for you," exclaimed he, "to reason like this, for
you are a rich man."

"I have enough to live on, I allow; for in addition to the income
derived from my profession, I have saved two hundred thousand francs;
and if you can be induced to renounce your projects, I will divide this
sum with you. You have only to think."

Mascarin, who had taken no part in the dispute, now judged it time to
interfere.

"And so," said he, turning to Catenac, "you have only two hundred
thousand francs?"

"That or thereabouts."

"And you offer to divide this sum with us. Really we ought to be deeply
grateful to you, but----"

Mascarin paused for a moment; then settling his spectacles mor