Masin took this to mean that he wished he might go out, and offered him more wine by way of consolation.  But Toto refused.  He was a moderate man.  Then he asked Masin how many rooms Malipieri occupied, and learned that the whole of the little apartment was rented by the architect.  The information did not seem to interest him much.

In the morning, when Malipieri had come back from his visit to Sassi, he had given Masin the keys of the vaults, and had told him to buy a stout ladder and take it into the dry well.  But Toto said that this was a useless expense.

“There is a strong ladder about the right length, lying along the wall at the other end of the west cellar,” he said.  “You had better take that.”

Malipieri looked at him and smiled.

“For a prisoner, you are very obliging,” he said, and he gave him a five-franc note, which Toto took with a grunt of thanks.

Masin was gone an hour, during which time Malipieri busied himself in the next room, leaving the door open.  He went out when Masin came back.  When the two men were together Toto produced the five francs.

“Can you change?” he enquired.

“Why?” asked Masin with some surprise.

“Half is two francs fifty,” answered Toto.  “That is your share.”

Masin laughed and shook his head.

“No,” he said.  “What is given to you is not given to me.  Why should I share with you?”

“It is our custom,” Toto replied.  “Take your half.”

Masin refused stoutly, but Toto insisted and grew angry at last.  So Masin changed the note and kept two francs and fifty centimes for himself, reflecting that he could give the money back to Malipieri, since he had no sort of right to it.  Toto was at once pacified.

When Malipieri returned, Masin went out and got dinner for all three, bringing it as usual in the three tin cases strapped one above the other.

Toto supposed that he was not to be left alone in the apartment that day; but at half-past four Malipieri entered the room, with a padlock and a couple of screw-eyes in his hand.

“You would not think it worth while to risk jumping out,” he said in a good-humoured tone.  “But you might take it into your head to open the window, and the porter might be there, and you might talk to him.  Masin and I shall be out together for a little while.”

Masin shut the tall window, screwed the stout little eye-bolts into the frame and ran the bolt of the padlock through both.  He gave the key to Malipieri.  Toto watched the operation indifferently.

“If you please,” he said, “I am accustomed to have a little wine about half-past five every day.  I will pay for it.”

He held out half a franc to Masin and nodded.

“Nonsense!” interposed Malipieri, laughing.  “You are my guest, Master Toto.”  Masin brought a bottle and a glass, and a couple of cigars.

“Thank you, sir,” said Toto politely.  “I shall be very comfortable till you come back.”