"Well, well," said Andrea, "that isn't a bad idea."
"My dear friend," said Caderousse, "eat of my bread, and take my advice; you will be none the worse off, physically or morally."
"But," said Andrea, "why do you not act on the advice you gave me? Why do you not realize a six months', a year's advance even, and retire to Brussels? Instead of living the retired baker, you might live as a bankrupt, using his privileges; that would be very good."
"But how the devil would you have me retire on twelve hundred francs?"
"Ah, Caderousse," said Andrea, "how covetous you are! Two months ago you were dying with hunger."
"The appetite grows by what it feeds on," said Caderousse, grinning and showing his teeth, like a monkey laughing or a tiger growling. "And," added he, biting off with his large white teeth an enormous mouthful of bread, "I have formed a plan." Caderousse's plans alarmed Andrea still more than his ideas; ideas were but the germ, the plan was reality. "Let me see your plan; I dare say it is a pretty one."
"Why not? Who formed the plan by which we left the establishment of M----! eh? was it not I? and it was no bad one I believe, since here we are!"
"I do not say," replied Andrea, "that you never make a good one; but let us see your plan."
"Well," pursued Caderousse, "can you without expending one sou, put me in the way of getting fifteen thousand francs? No, fifteen thousand are not enough,--I cannot again become an honest man with less than thirty thousand francs."
"No," replied Andrea, dryly, "no, I cannot."
"I do not think you understand me," replied Caderousse, calmly; "I said without your laying out a sou."
"Do you want me to commit a robbery, to spoil all my good fortune--and yours with mine--and both of us to be dragged down there again?"
"It would make very little difference to me," said Caderousse, "if I were retaken, I am a poor creature to live alone, and sometimes pine for my old comrades; not like you, heartless creature, who would be glad never to see them again." Andrea did more than tremble this time, he turned pale.
"Come, Caderousse, no nonsense!" said he.
"Don't alarm yourself, my little Benedetto, but just point out to me some means of gaining those thirty thousand francs without your assistance, and I will contrive it."
"Well, I'll see--I'll try to contrive some way," said Andrea.
"Meanwhile you will raise my monthly allowance to five hundred francs, my little fellow? I have a fancy, and mean to get a housekeeper."