"Master Student," said the clerk in an undertone, stepping to Aubrey's side, "would you be willing to do me a favor?"
"Gladly," said Aubrey; "what might it be?"
"It may be that you have friends or relatives to whom you intend to bequeath all your possessions?"
"Friends? I have but one, and he's a prisoner like myself. Relatives? I have only cousins, and very distant cousins at that. So, say on, Master Clerk, say on."
"Monsieur, I am a poor man, father of a family, with five children."
"What then?"
"I have never had any opportunities in my position, which I fill, as you can testify, with scrupulous probity. All my confrères are promoted over my head."
"Why is that?"
"Why? Ah! why? I will tell you."
"Do so."