"Nonsense! you must overcome such weaknesses as that; you shall be my second, and I'll lend you five hundred francs to redeem your olive; and I give you leave to tell Madame Plays that you have beaten me, wounded me, killed me--whatever you choose." "I haven't the heart to refuse. I will sacrifice myself and be your second. Shall we breakfast?" "I think not; but afterward, if I am the victor, there'll be nothing to prevent." While they were talking, Albert had dressed; he took his box of pistols, sent for a cab, and entered it with Tobie, who was very pale and agitated. As they passed the Café de Paris, on the boulevard, Albert cried: "Oh! mon Dieu! I have forgotten something!" "What is it? Have you two duels on hand?" "No, but if anything should happen to me--I haven't written a word of farewell to my father. I will step into this café, while you go and find a messenger for me--Sans-Cravate, if you can." "Very well, my friend." Albert alighted from the cab and went into the café to write his letter; meanwhile, Tobie turned back to the corner of Rue du Helder to find the messenger. Sans-Cravate and Jean Ficelle were not in their places, but he saw Paul and hurried to where he stood. "You must come with me, my boy." "Yes, monsieur." "You will be given a letter to deliver." "I will deliver it, monsieur." "You are to carry it to--but my friend probably won't want it to be delivered at once. It's a very serious matter--a duel." "Is it you who are going to fight, monsieur?" "No; but I am to act as second, which is almost the same thing. The letter's for his father. Sapristi! this business upsets me so--it seems to me it would be much better if we could prevent this duel." "How can that be done, monsieur?" "I haven't any idea; but come." Paul accompanied Tobie. Albert had written his letter, and was waiting by the cab. "Hurry, hurry!" he shouted to Tobie, who did not quicken his pace. "It has just occurred to me that you can take this letter and give it to my father, if I am killed." "Thanks; much obliged; a delightful commission that! No, indeed; give it to this fellow." Albert handed Paul the letter, saying: "Now, my friend, listen carefully to what I say. If you do not see me again within two hours, you will take this letter to my father, Monsieur Vermoncey, Rue Caumartin--the address is on the envelope; but not before two hours from this time! do you understand?" "Yes, monsieur." "Take this;--and now, Tobie, let us be off." Albert entered the cab, but Tobie seized the opportunity to whisper in Paul's ear: "Carry the letter at once; then his father, knowing that he is going to fight, may succeed in preventing the duel." "Come on, Tobie! we have no time to waste." "Here I am; I was just fixing my suspenders."