After allowing a little time to elapse I descended to the shop and began carelessly running my eyes over the miscellaneous collection of articles therein. The fence followed me about, now recommending this thing and now that. At last I saw what looked to be a ball of rope lying in a corner and covered with dust. 'What is that?' I inquired, touching it with the point of my sword. The man stooped without a word and, picking it up, dusted it carefully, then he unrolled a ladder of silken cord, about twelve or fifteen feet in length. 'This, captain,' he said, swinging it backwards and forwards, 'belonged, not so long ago, to M. de Bellievre, though you may not believe me.' 'I have no doubt you are speaking the truth, but it seems rather weak.' 'On the contrary, monsieur, will you test it and see?' We managed to do this, by means of two hooks that were slung from a beam above us, in a manner to satisfy me that the ladder was sufficient to bear double my weight, and then, as if content with this, I flung it aside. 'Will not monsieur take it?' asked the man; 'it is cheap.' 'It is good enough,' I answered, 'if I had a business on hand, but at present I am waiting.' 'If monsieur has leisure I might be able to give him a hint that would be worth something in crowns.' 'I am lazy when in luck, _compere_. No, I will not take the ladder.' 'It may come in useful, though, and will occupy but a small space in monsieur's room'--and seeing that I appeared to waver--'shall I take it up, I will let it go for ten crowns?' 'Five crowns or nothing,' I said firmly. 'But it is of the finest silk!' 'I do not want to buy--you can take my price or leave it.' 'Very well then, monsieur, thanks, and I will take it up myself.' 'You need not trouble, I am going up and will take it with me.'