'I know what you want me to do,' he said at last. 'Very well,' said Hortense; 'will you do it?' He continued to gaze. She met his eyes like a woman who has nothing more to conceal. 'State your case.' 'Do you know a vessel named the _Armorique_, a steamer?' 'Yes; it runs from Southampton.' 'It will arrive to-morrow morning early. Will it be able to cross the bar?' 'No; not till noon.' 'I thought so. I expect a person by it--a man.' Madame Bernier appeared unable to continue, as if her voice had given way. 'Well, well?' said her companion. 'He's the person'--she stopped again. 'The person who--?' 'The person whom I wish to get rid of.' For some moments nothing was said. The boatman was the first to speak again. 'Have you formed a plan?' Hortense nodded. 'Let's hear it.' 'The person in question,' said Madame Bernier, 'will be impatient to land before noon. The house to which he returns will be in view of the vessel if, as you say, she lies at anchor. If he can get a boat, he will be sure to come ashore. _Eh bien_!--but you understand me.' 'Aha! you mean my boat--_this_ boat?' 'O God!' Madame Bernier sprang up in her seat, threw out her arms, and sank down again, burying her face in her knees. Her companion hastily shipped his oars, and laid his hands on her shoulders. '_Allons donc_, in the devil's name, don't break down,' said he; 'we'll come to an understanding.' Kneeling in the bottom of the boat, and supporting her by his grasp, he succeeded in making her raise herself, though her head still drooped. 'You want me to finish him in the boat?' No answer. 'Is he an old man?' Hortense shook her head faintly. 'My age?' She nodded. '_Sapristi_! it isn't so easy.' 'He can't swim,' said Hortense, without looking up; 'he--he is lame.' '_Nom de Dieu_!' The boatman dropped his hands. Hortense looked up quickly. Do you read the pantomime? 'Never mind,' added the man at last, 'it will serve as a sign.' '_Mais oui_. And besides that, he will ask to be taken to the Maison Bernier, the house with its back to the water, on the extension of the great quay. _Tenez_, you can almost see it from here.' 'I know the place,' said the boatman, and was silent, as if asking and answering himself a question. Hortense was about to interrupt the train of thought which she apprehended he was following, when he forestalled her. 'How am I to be sure of my affair?' asked he. 'Of your reward? I've thought of that. This watch is a pledge of what I shall be able and glad to give you afterward. There are two thousand francs' worth of pearls in the case.' '_Il faut fixer la somme_,' said the man, leaving the watch untouched. 'That lies with you.' 'Good. You know that I have the right to ask a high price.' 'Certainly. Name it.' 'It's only on the supposition of a large sum that I will so much as consider your proposal. _Songez donc_, that it's a MURDER you ask of me.' 'The price--the price?'