"A truce to further chattering," the stranger resumed in a fierce voice; "how much do you ask to prevent the prisoner escaping until the king's order reaches you?" "Two hundred thousand livres," the Major answered roughly. "Was I not right in telling you that it would be expensive?" the stranger said with a grin. "Dear or not, that is my price, and I shall not bate it." "Very good, you shall have it." "When?" "Tomorrow." "That will be too late." "What?" the stranger asked haughtily. "I said it would be too late," the Major repeated imperturbably. "In that case, when must you have it?" "At once." "Do you fancy I carry 200,000 livres about me?" "I do not say that, but I can accompany you where you are going, and on reaching Antibes, we will say, you can pay me the amount." "That is a good plan." "Is it not?" "Yes, only there is an obstacle to its success." "I do not see one." "But I do." "What is it, sir?" "That, if I give you a meeting here, and come disguised and alone, I have probably an object." "Of course! You wish to remain incog." "You are full of penetration, my dear sir; and yet we can come to an understanding." "I do not see how, unless you consent to what I ask." "You are a judge of diamonds, since we have hitherto only bargained in them." "That is true, I am a tolerable judge of them." "Here is one that is worth 100,000 crowns, take it." And he offered a small case of black shagreen. The Major eagerly seized it. "But," he objected, "how can I be certain that you are not deceiving me?" "An affecting confession," the stranger observed laughingly. "Business is business, I risk my soul in serving you." "As for your soul, my dear sir, reassure yourself; in that quarter you have nothing to risk. But I will give you the satisfaction you desire." And taking a dark lanthorn from under his cloak, he let the light play on the diamond. The Major only required one glance to assure himself of the value of the rich reward offered him. "Are you satisfied?" the stranger asked, as he placed the lanthorn again under his cloak. "Here is the proof," the Major answered, as he concealed the box, and handed him a bundle of papers. "What is this?" the stranger inquired. "Papers of great importance for you, in the sense that they will tell you who the Count's friends are, and the means they can employ to restore him to liberty." "Bravo!" the stranger exclaimed, as he eagerly took the bundle of papers; "I no longer regret having paid so heavy a price for your assistance. Now we have discussed every point, I think?" "I think so too." "In that case, farewell! When I want you, I will let you know." "Are you going already?" "What the deuce would you have me do longer in this owl's nest? It is time for each of us to rejoin the persons waiting for us." And after giving the Major a slight wave of the hand, he turned away and disappeared behind the ruins of the high altar.