"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?"

"Monsieur, I beg you to believe that in that case I should
be so much afflicted at your death, that I should not think
about the money."

"Thank you, Planchet; but no matter. We shall, like two
lawyers' clerks, draw up together an agreement, a sort of
act, which may be called a deed of company."

"Willingly, monsieur."