These unsuspecting agents remind me of those strange Brazilian birds, whose presence is a sure sign that water is to be found near at hand.

When one of them utters a note, I dig, and I find.

And now, Marquis, do you understand the aim and end of our association ?" "It has," remarked Hortebise quietly, "brought us in some years two hundred and fifty thousand francs apiece." If M.de Croisenois disliked prosy tales, he by no means underrated the eloquence of figures.

He knew quite enough of Paris to understand that if Mascarin threw his net regularly, he would infallibly catch many fish.

With this conviction firmly implanted in his mind, he did not require much urging to look with favor on the scheme, and, putting on a gracious smile, he now asked, "And what must I do to deserve admission into this association ?" Paul had listened in wonder and terror, but by degrees all feelings of disgust at the criminality of these men faded away before the power that they unquestionably possessed.
"If," resumed Mascarin, "we have up to this met with no serious obstacles, it is because, though apparently acting rashly, we are in reality most prudent and cautious.