The master-carpenter had failed.
Sauvaignou had thereupon appealed to the court of commerce for recognition as creditor with a lien on the property.

He was a stocky little man, dressed in a gray linen blouse, with a cap on his head, and was seated in an armchair.

Three banknotes, of a thousand francs each, lying visibly before him on Desroches's desk, informed la Peyrade that the negotiation had already taken place, and that the lawyers were worsted.

Godeschal's eyes told the rest, and the glance which Desroches cast at the "poor man's advocate" was like the blow of a pick-axe into the earth of a grave.

Stimulated by his danger, the Provencal became magnificent.