"That is just the sum you would pay out in case Messieurs les Princes would consent that your place should be filled by a mercenary." "Nonsense! I could procure a substitute for a hundred crowns." "A substitute of your commanding appearance, a substitute who rides muleback with his toes turned out like you, a substitute who knows eighteen thousand seven hundred and seventy-two laws! Go to, monsieur! for an ordinary man a hundred crowns would certainly be enough; but if we are to be content with ordinary men, it's not worth while to enter into competition with the king. We need men of your merit, of your rank, of your stature. What the devil! don't cry yourself down; it seems to me that you are worth fully four thousand livres!" "I see what you are coming at," cried the tradesman; "this is downright robbery with force and arms." "Monsieur, you insult us," said Cauvignac, "and we would flay you alive by way of reparation for the insult, if we were less anxious to maintain the reputation of the adherents of the princes. No, monsieur; give me your four thousand livres, but do not look upon it as extortion, I beg; it is a necessity." "Who will pay my attorney?" "We will." "You?" "We." "But will you bring me a receipt?" "In due form." "Signed by him?" "Signed by him." "That puts a different face on the matter." "As you see. So you accept?" "I must, as I can't do otherwise." "Give us your attorney's address, then, and such other information as we can't do without." "I told you that it was a judgment resulting from the loss of a lawsuit." "Against whom?" "Against a certain Biscarros, claimant, as heir of his wife, who was a native of Orléans." "Attention!" said Ferguzon. Cauvignac winked at him as if to say "Never fear, I am on the watch." "Biscarros," he repeated; "isn't he an inn-keeper in the outskirts of Libourne?" "Just so,--between Libourne and Saint-Martin-de-Cubzac." "At the sign of the Golden Calf?" "The same. Do you know him?" "A little." "The villain! to get judgment against me for a sum--" "Which you didn't owe him?" "Oh! yes. I owed it--but I hoped never to pay it." "I understand; it's very hard." "For that reason, I give you my word that I would much rather see the money in your hands than in his." "If that is so, I think you will be content." "But my receipt?" "Come with us, and you shall have it in due form." "How will you go to work to get it?" "That's my affair." They pursued their journey toward Orléans, where they arrived two hours later. The tradesman conducted his captors to the inn nearest his attorney's office. It was a frightful den, with the appropriate name of the Dove of the Ark. "Now," said he, "what are we to do? I would be very glad not to part from my four thousand livres except as against a receipt." "Don't let that disturb you. Do you know your attorney's handwriting?" "Perfectly." "When we bring you his receipt, you will make no objection to handing the money over to us?"