“Is the money, then, ready?”

“It will be to-morrow; to-morrow you shall receive it from my own hands. Will you have gold or silver?”

“Gold; that is most convenient. But how are we going to arrange this? Let us see.”

“Oh, good Lord! in the simplest way possible. You shall give me a receipt, that is all.”

“No, no,” said D’Artagnan, warmly; “we must preserve order in all things.”

“That is likewise my opinion; but with you, M. d’Artagnan — ”

“And if I should die yonder — if I should be killed by a musket-ball — if I should burst from drinking beer?”