"Monsieur," said Lenet, to win the adventurer's confidence at the outset, "in the first place, here is your signature in blank, which I return to you. It is yours, is it not?" "It belongs, monsieur," replied Cauvignac, "to him in whose possession it happens to be, for, as you see, it bears no other name than that of Monsieur le Duc d'Épernon." "When I ask if it is yours, I mean to ask if it is in your possession with Monsieur le Duc d'Épernon's consent." "I have it from his own hand, monsieur." "It was neither stolen, then, nor extorted from him by violence?--I do not say by you, but by some other person from whom you received it. Perhaps you have it only at second hand?" "It was given me by the duke himself, I tell you,--voluntarily, in exchange for a paper which I handed him." "Did you agree with Monsieur d'Épernon to use this signature of his for any particular purpose, and for no other?" "I made no agreement whatsoever with Monsieur d'Épernon." "The person in whose hands it is may use it, then, with perfect safety?" "He may." "If that is so, why do you not make use of it yourself?" "Because if I keep it I can use it for but one purpose, while by giving it to you, I can purchase two things with it." "What are these two things?" "Money, first of all." "We have almost none." "I will be reasonable." "And the second thing?" "A commission in the army of the princes." "The princes have no army." "They soon will have one." "Would you not prefer a commission to raise a company?" "I was about to make that very suggestion to you." "The question of the money is left for decision, then." "Yes, the question of the money." "What amount do you expect?" "Ten thousand livres. I told you that I would be reasonable." "Ten thousand livres?" "Yes. You must surely advance me something toward arming and equipping my men." "Indeed, it's not an exorbitant request." "You agree, then?" "It's a bargain." Lenet produced a commission all signed, inserted the names given him by the young man, affixed Madame la Princesse's seal, and handed it to Cauvignac; he then opened a strong-box which contained the treasure of the rebels, and took out ten thousand livres in gold pieces, which he arranged in piles of twenty each. Cauvignac counted them scrupulously one after another; when that task was completed he nodded to Lenet, to signify that the paper with Monsieur d'Épernon's signature was his. Lenet took it and placed it in the strong-box, thinking, doubtless, that so precious a treasure could not be too carefully guarded. Just as he was placing the key of the chest in his pocket, a valet came running in, all aghast, to tell him that his presence was required on business of importance. Consequently Lenet and Cauvignac left the cabinet,--Lenet to follow the servant, Cauvignac to return to the banqueting-hall.