you for this fowl?"

"Your excellency has given me a louis on account."

"A louis on account for a fowl?"

"Certainly; and your excellency now owes me 4,999 louis." Danglars
opened his enormous eyes on hearing this gigantic joke. "Come, come,
this is very droll--very amusing--I allow; but, as I am very hungry,
pray allow me to eat. Stay, here is another louis for you."

"Then that will make only 4,998 louis more," said Peppino with the same
indifference. "I shall get them all in time."

"Oh, as for that," said Danglars, angry at this prolongation of the
jest,--"as for that you won't get them at all. Go to the devil! You do
not know with whom you have to deal!" Peppino made a sign, and the youth
hastily removed the fowl. Danglars threw himself upon his goat-skin,
and Peppino, reclosing the door, again began eating his pease and bacon.
Though Danglars could not see Peppino, the noise of his teeth allowed
no doubt as to his occupation. He was certainly eating, and noisily too,
like an ill-bred man. "Brute!" said Danglars. Peppino pretended not to
hear him, and without even turning his head continued to eat slowly.
Danglars' stomach felt so empty, that it seemed as if it would be
impossible ever to fill it again; still he had patience for another
half-hour, which appeared to him like a century. He again arose and went
to the door. "Come, sir, do not keep me starving here any longer, but
tell me what they want."

"Nay, your excellency, it is you who should tell us what you want. Give
your orders, and we will execute them."

"Then open the door directly." Peppino obeyed. "Now look here, I want
something to eat! To eat--do you hear?"

"Are you hungry?"

"Come, you understand me."

"What would your excellency like to eat?"

"A piece of dry bread, since the fowls are beyond all price in this
accursed place."

"Bread? Very well. Hallo, there, some bread!" he called. The youth
brought a small loaf. "How much?" asked Danglars.

"Four thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight louis," said Peppino; "You
have paid two louis in advance."

"What? One hundred thousand francs for a loaf?"

"One hundred thousand francs," repeated Peppino.

"But you only asked 100,000 francs for a fowl!"

"We have a fixed price for all our provisions. It signifies nothing
whether you eat much or little--whether you have ten dishes or one--it
is always the same price."

"What, still keeping up this silly jest? My dear fellow, it is perfe