"'I was in a government office--served my country,' he replies; 'and, getting home on furlough, I might as well feather my nest while I have a chance, and then slip the cable on 'em. Pay isn't very good there, nor victuals very plenty.' "'Eh! prison fare?' I ask, scenting the jest. "He scowls like an ogre at me. "'You're a fool!' he growls. 'No; I was a Road Commissioner. Come, now, will you go with Brand, and win some cool thousands by the speculation?' "'What are my duties?' I cautiously reply. "'To keep close by him through all his windings, until--' "My Mortlake stops. "'Until?' I venture. "'Until the dog is killed,' whispers monsieur. "I start back--I wave the vile insinuation from me. "'_Pardieu!_' I scream; 'I am _chevalier d'honneur_! I pride myself upon my illustrious reputation. Monsieur must seek another colleague.' "'Idiot!' he roars, 'did I ask you to have anything to do with that? Do I suspect _you_ of enough pluck to crush a snake? No, you fool, I don't. The man will be killed in battle. All I want of you is to hear his private business, so that you can post me up. If you want to make your fortune, say so.' "Mademoiselle, my dearest wish has always been to make my fortune. _Ma foi!_ shall I refuse it when it comes begging at my door? "'So be it. _Vive l'Amerique!_' I cry. 'Give me my instructions.' "And monsieur does give me my instructions. "I am to be hand and glove with Monsieur le Capitaine; I am to learn his history off by heart and write it down for my Mortlake to study; and when he falls in battle I am to win my reward, but not till then. I am encouraged by every inducement to be the assassin myself. I am assured that if Captain Brand does not die in the course of twelve months, Monsieur Mortlake can do nothing for me; and I laugh to myself, and say: "'I shall watch my Mortlake.' "'And what will monsieur do until I return to England?' I say. "'I'll pigeon the green hands in the gambling saloons,' he tells me, 'and have a neat little sum to carry us through the plot.' "So we make up our plans, and I follow Captain Brand to Liverpool. "The last act of friendship which my principal does for me is to send after me a servant to attend me. "'A trusty fellow,' writes M. Mortlake, 'who will help you with the captain. He is an unscrupulous chap, and might do that little job for you. Thoms is a cute fellow, and won't betray us.' "Monsieur Mortlake has changed his mind at the last moment; he doubts the villainy of his accomplice; he comes himself, in Thoms' disguise, to watch how the game goes.