'He had that in his mind, my friend, when he selected an agent so obscure.

He will disown you.

Ah, mon Dieu! had I been an hour quicker I had caught Rosny--Rosny himself!' 'There is one thing lacking still,' I replied.

'How am I to be sure that, when I have told you what I know, you will pay me the money or let me go ?' 'I will swear to it!' he answered earnestly, deceived into thinking I was about to surrender.

'I will give you my oath, M.de Marsac!' 'I would as soon have your shoe-lace!' I exclaimed, the indignation I could not entirely repress finding vent in that phrase.