Joseph Your calculations lead to the scaffold. Vautrin Enough! You tire me. Your master is to fight a duel to-morrow. In this duel one of the combatants will never leave the ground alive; imagine that the duel has taken place, and that your master has had no fair chance. Buteux That is just it. Lafouraille The master is as deep as fate. Joseph A fine condition to be in. Buteux The devil to pay and no pitch hot! Vautrin (to Joseph, pointing out Lafouraille and Buteux) You will conceal these two. Joseph Where? Vautrin I tell you, you must conceal them. When all are asleep in the house, excepting us, you must send them up to the musketeer's room. (To Buteux and Lafouraille) Try to go there without him; you must be cautions and adroit; the window of his room overlooks the court. (Whispers in their ears) Throw him down. It will be a case of despair (turning to Joseph), and suicide will be a ground for averting suspicion from all. SCENE THIRD. Vautrin (alone) All is saved! There is only one suspect among us, and I will change that state of affairs. Blondet is the traitor, and in this case bad debts will make good friends, for I will point him out to the duke in a friendly manner as the murderer of Vicomte de Langeac. I must finally discover the motive of the duchess's singular behavior. If what I learn explains the suicide of the marquis, what a master stroke it will be! SCENE FOURTH. Joseph and Vautrin. Joseph Your men are well concealed, but you doubtless intend to leave the house? Vautrin No, I am going to do some reading in the study of the Duc de Montsorel. Joseph But if he comes home, won't you be afraid? Vautrin If I feared anything, would I be master of you all? Joseph But where are you going? Vautrin You are very curious. SCENE FIFTH. Joseph (alone) There, he is disposed of for the moment, his two fellows likewise; I hold them, and, as I don't want to have anything to do with the affair, I am going-- SCENE SIXTH Joseph, a footman; and afterwards Saint-Charles. The footman Monsieur Joseph, some one is asking for you. Joseph At this hour? Saint-Charles It is I. Joseph (to the footman) You may go. Saint-Charles His grace the duke cannot come home until after the king's retirement for the night. The duchess is on her way home. I wish to speak to her privately and wait for her here. Joseph Here? Saint-Charles Here. Joseph (aside) O my God! And Jacques-- Saint-Charles If it inconveniences you-- Joseph Not in the least. Saint-Charles Tell me the truth, you are expecting some one? Joseph I am expecting the duchess. Saint-Charles And not Jacques Collin? Joseph Oh! don't talk to me about that man, you make me shudder. Saint-Charles Collin is mixed up with some business that might bring him here. You must have seen him lately. I have no time to pump you, and I have no need to bribe, but you must choose between him and me, and pretty quickly, too. Joseph What do you require of me?