this is a question of killing I
am your man--but one thing more, it must be a fellow who will defend
himself. Our victims are so apt to be cowardly, and give in without a
struggle--it is no better than sticking a pig--and that I cannot stand,
it disgusts me. A good manly resistance, the more stubborn the better,
gives a pleasant zest to the task."

"You may rest easy on that score," Mirindol replied, with a malicious
smile; "you will find a tough customer to handle, I promise you."

"So much the better," said Lampourde, "for it is a long time since I
have found an adversary worth crossing swords with. But enough of this
for the present. Good-bye to you, and let me finish my nap."

But he tried in vain to compose himself to sleep again, and, after
several fruitless efforts, gave it up as a bad job; then began to shake
a companion, who had slept soundly on the floor under the table during
the preceding discussion, and when he had succeeded in rousing him, both
went off to a gaming-house, where lansquenet was in active progress.
The company was composed of thieves, cut-throats, professional bullies,
ruffians of every sort, lackeys, and low fellows of various callings,
and a few well-to-do, unsophisticated bourgeois, who had been enticed
in there--unfortunate pigeons, destined to be thoroughly plucked.
Lampourde, who played recklessly, had soon lost all his boasted wealth,
and was left with empty pockets. He took his bad luck with the utmost
philosophy.

"Ouf!" said he to his companion, when they had gone out into the street,
and the cool, night air blew refreshingly upon his heated face, "here
am I rid of my money, and a free man again. It is strange that it should
always make such a brute of me. It surprises me no longer that rich
men should invariably be such stupid fools. Now, that I haven't a penny
left, I feel as gay as a lark--ready for anything. Brilliant ideas buzz
about my brain, like bees around the hive. Lampourde's himself again.
But there's the Samaritan striking twelve, and a friend of mine must be
waiting for me down by the bronze Henri IV, so goodnight."

He quitted his companion and walked quickly to the rendezvous, where he
found Merindol, diligently studying his own shadow in the moonlight; and
the two ruffians, after looking carefully about them to make sure that
there was no one within ear-shot, held a long consultation, in very low
tones. What they said we do not know; but, when Lampourde quitted