The other proposal is, if you promise--and I have faith in your word--the situation will continue the same as at present.

Choose, Monsieur.

Which is it to be ?" The devil gleamed in his eyes.

He remained silent.
"Well! Well!" impatiently.
"I accept the alternative," with bad grace.

"If I made a dash--" "You would be shot; those were my orders." "And if I went to prison--" "You would miss what you call the comic opera, but which to me is all there is in life.