“Well, go and find out all you can about it, and come back to me,” said Cerizet, pushing the woman toward the door, and whispering, as he did so, a few words in her ear. “Well, my dear friend,” said Theodose to Cerizet, “you have got your money?” “Yes,” returned Cerizet “we have measured our claws, they are the same length, the same strength, and the same sharpness. What next?” “Am I to tell Dutocq that you received, last night, twenty-five thousand francs?” “Oh! my dear friend, not a word, if you love me!” cried Cerizet. “Listen,” said Theodose. “I must know, once for all, what you want. I am positively determined not to remain twenty-four hours longer on the gridiron where you have got me. Cheat Dutocq if you will; I am utterly indifferent to that; but I intend that you and I shall come to an understanding. It is a fortune that I have paid you, twenty-five thousand francs, and you must have earned ten thousand more in your business; it is enough to make you an honest man. Cerizet, if you will leave me in peace, if you won’t prevent my marriage with Mademoiselle Colleville, I shall certainly be king’s attorney-general, or something of that kind in Paris. You can’t do better than make sure of an influence in that sphere.” “Here are my conditions; and they won’t allow of discussion; you can take them or leave them. You will obtain for me the lease of Thuillier’s new house for eighteen years, and I’ll hand you back one of your five notes cancelled, and you shall not find me any longer in your way. But you will have to settle with Dutocq for the remaining four notes. You got the better of _me_, and I know Dutocq hasn’t the force to stand against you.” “I’ll agree to that, provided you’ll pay a rent of forty-eight thousand francs for the house, the last year in advance, and begin the lease in October.” “Yes; but I shall not give for the last year’s rent more than forty-three thousand francs; your note will pay the remainder. I have seen the house, and examined it. It suits me very well.” “One last condition,” said Theodose; “you’ll help me against Dutocq?” “No,” said Cerizet, “you’ll cook him brown yourself; he doesn’t need any basting from me; he’ll give out his gravy fast enough. But you ought to be reasonable. The poor fellow can’t pay off the last fifteen thousand francs due on his practice, and you should reflect that fifteen thousand francs would certainly buy back your notes.” “Well; give me two weeks to get your lease--” “No, not a day later than Monday next! Tuesday your notes will be in Louchard’s hands; unless you pay them Monday, or Thuillier signs the lease.” “Well, Monday, so be it!” said Theodose; “are we friends?” “We shall be Monday,” responded Cerizet. “Well, then, Monday you’ll pay for my dinner,” said Theodose, laughing. “Yes, at the Rocher de Cancale, if I have the lease. Dutocq shall be there--we’ll all be there--ah! it is long since I’ve had a good laugh.”