Part 1 (2/2)
I was about to nified reply when he literally threw the next words at me: ”Name your price, and I will pay it!” he said
What could I do, save to raise my shoulders in token that the matter of money was one of supreme indifference to me, and my eyebrows in a manner of doubt that M Charles Saurez had the means ith to repay my valuable services? By way of a rejoinder he took out froreasy letter-case, and with his exceedingly griers extracted therefrolance ona couple of hundred francs
”I will give you this as a retaining fee,” he said, ”if you will undertake the work I want you to do; and I will double the amount when you have carried the work out success fully”
Four hundred francs! It was not lavish, it was perhaps not altogether the price I would have naood, these hard times
You understand? We were all very poor in France in that year 1815 of which I speak
I a with a client who means business I pushed aside the litter of papers in front of me, leaned my elbows upon my desk, rested my chin in my hands, and said briefly:
”M Charles Saurez, I listen!”
He drew his chair a little closer and dropped his voice almost to a whisper
”You know the Chancellerie of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?” he asked
”Perfectly,” I replied
”You know M de Marsan's private office? He is chief secretary to M
de Talleyrand”
”No,” I said, ”but I can find out”
”It is on the first floor, i the service staircase, and at the end of the long passage which leads to the main staircase”
”Easy to find, then,” I remarked
”Quite At this hour and until twelve o'clock, M de Marsan will be occupied in copying a document which I desire to possess At eleven o'clock precisely there will be a noisy disturbance in the corridor which leads to the main staircase M de Marsan, in all probability, will come out of his room to see what the disturbance is about Will you undertake to be ready at that precise moment to make a dash from the service staircase into the roo on the top of the desk, and bring it to an address which I aive you?”
”It is risky,” I mused
”Very,” he retorted drily, ”or I'd do it myself, and not pay you four hundred francs for your trouble”
”Trouble!” I exclai sarcasht, it means penal servitude--New Caledonia, perhaps--”
”Exactly,” he said, with the sa calmness; ”and if you succeed it means four hundred francs Take it or leave it, as you please, but be quick about it I have no time to waste; it is past nine o'clock already, and if you won't do the work, soer I hesitated Scheh my active brain: refuse to take this risk, and denounce the plot to the police; refuse it, and run to warn M de Marsan; refuse it, and-- I had little ti, as it were, with a pistol to my throat--with a pistol and four hundred francs! The police ht possibly remeery of so hoht throw enerous at that!