"Ah! if you hadn't received that sum," continued Cauvignac, "it would be a different matter; but you admit having received it, and that is against you, you see." "Monsieur, suppose I agree to give it up; suppose I hand it to you instantly; suppose I make oath that I have no connection with this villain Biscarros?" "You would lie under grave suspicion none the less. However, I think I may say that immediate surrender of the money--" "Monsieur, I will give it to you this very moment!" cried Master Rabodin. "It is still there, in the bag in which it was handed to me. I have verified the amount, and that's all." "Is it exact?" "Count it yourself, monsieur, count it yourself." "Nay, monsieur, by your leave, nay; for I am not empowered to touch his Majesty's money; but I have with me the tax-collector of Libourne, who was assigned to accompany me in order to take charge of the different sums which Biscarros scattered broadcast to be collected again at need." "It is a fact that he was very urgent that I should send the four thousand livres to him the moment that I received them." "You see! Doubtless he is already informed that Madame la Princesse has left Chantilly, and is on her way to Bordeaux, and is getting together all his resources in order to make himself prominent among her adherents." "The wretch!" "And you suspected nothing?" "Nothing, monsieur, nothing." "Had nobody warned you?" "Nobody." "What's that you say?" said Cauvignac, pointing to the tradesman's letter which lay open on Master Rabodin's desk, with a number of other papers. "How dare you say that when you yourself furnish me with proof to the contrary?" "Proof?" "Damnation! read." Rabodin read, in a trembling voice:-- "I 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.'" "An improper use!" Cauvignac repeated. "You see that your client's unsavory reputation has reached as far as this." "Monsieur, I am overwhelmed," said the attorney. "I cannot conceal from you, monsieur," said Cauvignac, "that my orders are strict." "Monsieur, I swear that I am innocent." "_Pardieu!_ Biscarros said the same until he was put to the question; but at the fifth wedge he changed his tone." "I tell you, monsieur, that I am ready to hand you the money. Here it is; take it, for it burns my hands." "Let us do things regularly," said Cauvignac. "I have already told you that it's no part of my business to handle the king's money." He walked to the door leading to the office. "Come in, Monsieur le Receveur," said he; "each to his own duty." Barrabas came forward. "Monsieur admits everything," said Cauvignac. "What's that?--I admit everything?" cried the attorney. "Yes, you admit that you were in correspondence with Biscarros." "Monsieur, I have never received more than two letters from him, and I have written him only one."