"Changeur," he said, without rising, and in dulcet tones, that contrasted oddly with the words he uttered,--"Changeur, my lad, I forbid you to give up the billiard-table." "But, monsieur," replied Changeur, in great embarrassment, "if indeed M. le Baron de B--- wishes me to give him my cue...." "If you give your cue to M. le Baron, Changeur, I shall take it out of the hands of M. le Baron and break it across your head!" M. le Baron de B--- saw clearly enough that Changeur was merely being used as a spark to kindle the flame. The thrust had, in fact, been aimed at him and he returned the stroke in the direction whence it came. "It seems to me, monsieur," he said, "you are very anxious to pick a quarrel with me." "I am charmed, monsieur, that you see things so plainly!" "And what is your excuse for picking a quarrel with me?" "Why, because you have abused your position with respect to that young fellow, and all misuse of power, no matter what it is, appears to me odious." "Do you know who I am, monsieur?" said the Baron de B---, striding towards Morrisel with a threatening air. "Yes, monsieur," replied the latter, calmly lifting his spectacles; "you are M. le Baron de B---. You killed M.--- in one duel and wounded M.--- in another. I know that much about you." "And yet you insist I shall not have the billiard-table given up to me?" "I insist more pertinaciously than ever!" "Very well, monsieur; but you understand that I look upon your remarks as an insult." "I offer no objection, monsieur." "Therefore, we shall meet to-morrow morning at six o'clock, if you please, in the bois de Vincennes, or in the bois de Boulogne." "Monsieur, I am twenty-five years your senior, and I need more sleep; besides, I am a player, and I generally play all night long, therefore I do not go to bed before five and I rarely rise before noon. Then, when I get up, I have my toilet to make--a habit I have maintained too long to break through now. When my toilet is finished, my servant gets ready my _déjeuner._ After I have had lunch, I come here for my coffee, as you perceive; I am extremely methodical. Now, all this takes me till two o'clock. Therefore, to-morrow, if that will be convenient to you, I shall be at your disposal by half-past two, but not until half-past two." "At half-past two so be it, monsieur; here is my card." Morrisel examined it with attention, bowed in acknowledgment, put it in his pocket, drew forth two cards bearing his address, presented one to M. le Baron de B--- and wrapped the other in a five-hundred franc note. Then he called to Changeur, M. le Baron de B--- watching what he was doing. "Changeur," he said, "here is a five-hundred franc note." "Does Monsieur wish to settle his account?" asked Changeur. "No, no, my lad." "What am I to do, then, with this five-hundred franc note?" "First of all take Monsieur's measurements." Changeur looked at the Baron de B---, frightened out of his wits.