I shall be as fresh and
bright as a lark by that time, and ready for anything. You shall give me
your instructions then, and we will agree upon my share of the spoils.
It should be something handsome, for I have the vanity to believe
that no one would come and disturb a fellow of my calibre for any
insignificant piece of business. But after all I am weary of playing
the thief and pickpocket--it is beneath me--and I mean to devote all my
energies in future to the noble art of assassination; it is more worthy
of my undisputed prowess. I would rather be a grand, man-slaying lion
than any meaner beast of prey. If 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.
Pages:
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413