From his state of exaltation my unknown had fallen again into deepest dejection, and, approaching me, said with a sombre air: “Yago kept his promise; and when, later on, disgusted with the vain smoke of military glory, I aspired to that which is only real and positive in this world--when at the price of five or six years of existence I desired great riches, he gladly gave them to me. Yes, young man, I have possessed vast wealth, far beyond my wildest dreams--estates, forests, and châteaux. To-day, still, all this is mine, and in my power; if you doubt me--if you doubt the existence of Yago--wait here, he is coming, and you can see for yourself that which would confound your reason and mine were it not unfortunately too real.” The unknown approached the fireplace, looked at the timepiece, made a gesture of alarm, and said to me in a deep voice: “This morning at daybreak I felt myself so weak and so feeble that I could scarcely rise. I rang for my _valet-de-chambre_; it was Yago who appeared. ‘What is this strange feeling?’ asked I. “‘Master, nothing but what is perfectly natural. The hour approaches, the moment arrives.’ “‘And what is it?’ cried I. “‘Can you not divine it? Heaven has destined you sixty years to live; you were thirty when I began to obey you.’ “‘Yago!’ cried I in affright, ‘do you speak seriously?’ “‘Yes, master; in five years you have spent in glory twenty-five years of life. You have sold them to me. They belong to me; and these years that you have voluntarily given up are now added to mine.’ “‘What! That, then, was the price of your services?’ “‘Yes, and many others--for ages past--have paid more dearly; for instance, Fabert, whom I protected also.’ “‘Be silent, be silent!’ cried I; ‘this is not possible; it can not be true!’ “‘As you please; but prepare yourself; for there only remains for you a brief half-hour of life.’ “‘You are mocking me!’ “‘Not, at all. Calculate for yourself. Thirty-five years you have had, and twenty-five years you have sold to me--total, sixty. It is your own count; each one takes his own.’ Then he wished to go away, and I felt my strength diminish. I felt my life leaving me. “‘Yago! Yago!’ I cried feebly; ‘give me a few hours, a few hours more!’ “‘No, no,’ replied he, ‘it would be taking away from myself, and I know better than you the value of life. There is no treasure worth two hours of existence.’ “I could scarcely speak; my eyes were set in my head, and the chill of death congealed the blood in my veins. ‘Very well!’ said I with an effort, ‘take back your gifts, for that which I have sacrificed all. Four hours more and I renounce my gold, my wealth--all this opulence that I have so much desired.’ “‘Be it so; you have been a good master, and I am willing to do something for you. I consent.’