"None! But my attorney will never give his receipt without the money; I know him too well." "I will advance the sum," said Cauvignac. As he spoke he took from his wallet four thousand livres, half in louis, and the rest in half-pistoles, and arranged them in piles before the wondering eyes of the tradesman. "Now," said he, "tell us your attorney's name." "Master Rabodin." "Very good; take a pen and write." The tradesman obeyed. "MASTER RABODIN,--I send you the four thousand livres, damages and costs due upon the judgment in favor of Master Biscarros, whom I strongly suspect of a purpose to make an improper use of it. Be kind enough to hand the bearer your receipt--" "What next?" queried the tradesman. "Date and sign it." The tradesman did as he was bid. "Now," said Cauvignac to Ferguzon, "take this letter and money, disguise yourself as a miller, and call upon the attorney." "What shall I do there?" "Give him the money and take his receipt." "Is that all?" "That's all." "I don't understand." "So much the better! the errand will be done all the better for that." Ferguzon's confidence in his captain was unbounded, so he walked toward the door without another word. "Order up some wine, and of the best," said Cauvignac; "monsieur must be thirsty." Ferguzon bowed and went out. Within the half-hour he returned, and found Cauvignac at table with the tradesman, both doing honor to that famous Orléans wine which rejoiced the Gascon palate of Henri IV. "Well?" said Cauvignac, inquiringly. "Here is the receipt." "Is that what you desire?" And Cauvignac passed the piece of stamped paper to the tradesman. "Precisely." "Is the receipt in proper form?" "It is." "Then you have no objection to giving me your money in exchange for it?" "None at all." "Give it me, then." The tradesman counted out the four thousand livres. Cauvignac placed them in his bag, where they replaced the four thousand recently taken therefrom. "And now my release is paid for, is it?" "_Mon Dieu_, yes, unless you absolutely insist upon serving." "No, not personally; but--" "But what? Let us hear," said Cauvignac. "I have a presentiment that we sha'n't part until we have done some more business together." "It is very possible," said the tradesman, whose serenity was completely restored the instant the receipt was in his hands. "I have a nephew--" "Aha!" "A stubborn, troublesome fellow." "Of whom you would gladly be rid?" "No, not just that; but who would make an excellent soldier, I am sure." "Send him to me, and I'll make a hero of him." "You will take charge of him?" "With pleasure." "I have also a godson, a deserving lad, who is anxious to take orders, and for whom I am obliged to pay heavily for board." "So that you would prefer that he should take the musket, eh? Send me the godson and the nephew; it will cost you only five hundred livres for the two." "Five hundred livres! I don't understand."