He was turning away, and looking for his hat, proposed to beat a retreat; but Dr. Hortebise stood between him and the door, gazing upon him with no friendly expression of countenance. Catenac was not a man to be easily alarmed, 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 scruples 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.