t how the devil would you have me retire on twelve hundred francs?"

"Ah, Caderousse," said Andrea, "how covetous you are! Two months ago you
were dying with hunger."

"The appetite grows by what it feeds on," said Caderousse, grinning and
showing his teeth, like a monkey laughing or a tiger growling. "And,"
added he, biting off with his large white teeth an enormous mouthful of
bread, "I have formed a plan." Caderousse's plans alarmed Andrea still
more than his ideas; ideas were but the germ, the plan was reality. "Let
me see your plan; I dare say it is a pretty one."

"Why not? Who formed the plan by which we left the establishment of
M----! eh? was it not I? and it was no bad one I believe, since here we
are!"

"I do not say," replied Andrea, "that you never make a good one; but let
us see your plan."

"Well," pursued Caderousse, "can you without expending one sou, put me
in the way of getting fifteen thousand francs? No, fifteen thousand are
not enough,--I cannot again become an honest man with less than thirty
thousand francs."

"No," replied Andrea, dryly, "no, I cannot."

"I do not think you understand me," replied Caderousse, calmly; "I said
without your laying out a sou."

"Do you want me to commit a robbery, to spoil all my good fortune--and
yours with mine--and both of us to be dragged down there again?"

"It would make very little difference to me," said Caderousse, "if I
were retaken, I am a poor creature to live alone, and sometimes pine
for my old comrades; not like you, heartless creature, who would be glad
never to see them again." Andrea did more than tremble this time, he
turned pale.

"Come, Caderousse, no nonsense!" said he.

"Don't alarm yourself, my little Benedetto, but just point out to
me some means of gaining those thirty thousand francs without your
assistance, and I will contrive it."

"Well, I'll see--I'll try to contrive some way," said Andrea.

"Meanwhile you will raise my monthly allowance to five hundred francs,
my little fellow? I have a fancy, and mean to get a housekeeper."

"Well, you shall have your five hundred francs," said Andrea; "but it is
very hard for me, my poor Caderousse--you take advantage"--

"Bah," said Caderousse, "when you have access to countless stores." One
would have said Andrea anticipated his companion's words, so did his eye
flash like lightning, but it was but for a moment. "True," he replied,
"and my protector is very kind."

"That dear p