"Why, of course, they have to pay on entering the company." "Then why did you make me pay for the privilege of not entering it?" "There were special reasons for that. Your nephew and your godson will pay two hundred and fifty livres each, and you will never hear of them again." "The devil! that's an alluring prospect, do you know? They will be well cared for?" "I give you my word that when they have once tasted service under my orders, they wouldn't change places with the Emperor of China. Ask these good fellows how I keep them. Tell him, Barrabas; tell him, Carrotel." "In truth," said Barrabas, "we live like lords." "And how are they clothed? Look for yourself." Carrotel executed a pirouette in order to exhibit his resplendent costume from every point of view. "Certainly there is nothing to be said in the matter of equipment," said the tradesman. "So you will send me your two youths?" "I am very anxious to do so. Do you make a long stay here?" "No, we shall leave to-morrow morning; but we will go slowly so that they may overtake us. Give us the five hundred livres and the bargain's made." "I have only two hundred and fifty." "Give them the other two hundred and fifty; indeed that will furnish you with an excuse for sending them to me; if you had no pretext for sending them they might suspect something." "But they may say that one of them alone can do the errand." "You must tell them that the roads are not safe, and give them each twenty-five livres; that will be by way of advance on their pay." The tradesman stared at him in wondering admiration. "Upon my word," said he, "it takes a soldier to find a way out of every difficulty!" Having counted out the two hundred and fifty livres to Cauvignac, he withdrew, overjoyed to have found an opportunity to be rid, for five hundred livres, of a nephew and godson who cost him more than two hundred pistoles a year. V. "Now, Master Barrabas," said Cauvignac, "have you in your valise a coat something less elegant than the one you are wearing,--one in which you might pass for an employee of the custom-house?" "I have the tax-collector's coat, you know, that we--" "Very good! and you have his commission, too, no doubt?" "Lieutenant Ferguzon bade me not lose it, and I have taken great care of it." "Lieutenant Ferguzon is the most farseeing man of my acquaintance. Array yourself as a tax-collector and take the commission with you." Barrabas went out, and returned ten minutes later, completely transformed. He found Cauvignac dressed wholly in black, and looking enough like a court officer to deceive anybody. They went together to the attorney's quarters. Master Rabodin lived in a third-floor apartment, consisting of a reception-room, an office, and a closet. There were other rooms, no doubt, but as they were not open to clients we will say nothing about them.