"Monsieur le Général may have had a slight difference to-day with Monsieur le Préfet, but they will be reconciled to-morrow. Why should I give myself away and put myself in their power for nothing?" "You are a fool! What complaint have you to make against Monsieur le Préfet?" "I am not a fool, monsieur. That is just it. Therefore, I will not tell you--not yet, at least." "Then why did you come here? What did you suppose I wanted you for?" "To do some work, for which I might possibly be paid." "Is it a question of pay?" "Partly, monsieur. I made some valuable discoveries a week or two ago, and they have turned out of no use whatever. Here am I still an ordinary police officer, my work not acknowledged in any way, by praise, pay, or promotion. I tried on my own account to verify my discoveries and to find out more. This day, this very morning, I am warned to let the whole thing alone, to say nothing, even to the commissary of police." The General hesitated. He was grave and thoughtful enough now. He took out five napoleons and pushed them across the table to Simon, who picked them up quickly and greedily. "Merci, Monsieur le Général!" "Chouannerie?" said Ratoneau. Simon grinned. "Ah, monsieur, this is not enough to make me safe. I must have five thousand francs at least, to carry me away out of the Prefect's reach, if I tell his little secrets to Monsieur le Général." "Five thousand devils! Do you think I am made of money? What do I want with your miserable secrets? What are the Chouans to me? The Prefect may be a Chouan himself, I dare say: stranger things have happened." Simon shrugged his shoulders. His face was full of cunning and of secret knowledge. "If Monsieur le Général wants a real hold over Monsieur le Préfet," he said, with his eyes fixed on Ratoneau's face--"why then, these secrets of mine are worth the money. Of course, there is another thing for me to do. I can go to Paris and lay the whole thing before the Minister of Police or Monsieur le Comte Réal. I had thought of that. But--the Government is generally ungrateful--and if there were any private service to be done for Monsieur le Général, I should like it better. Besides, it is just possible that I might be doing harm to some of your friends, monsieur." "My friends? How?" "Ah! voilà! I can mention no names," said Simon. The General took out his pocket-book and gave him a note for a thousand francs. "Out with it, fellow. I hate mysteries," he said. "Pardon, Monsieur le Général! I said _five_ thousand." "Well, there are two more. Not another penny till you have explained yourself. And then, if I am not satisfied, I shall turn you over to my guard to be flogged for theft and lying. And I doubt if they will leave much in your pockets." "You treat me like a Jew, monsieur!" "You are a Jew. Go on. What are these grand discoveries that Monsieur le Préfet will have nothing to do with?"