"What is your business with me?" he asked.
I explained the object of my visit as succinctly as I could, for I was pressed for time; moreover, had I wanted to use lengthy phrases I could not have done so, as I could scarcely speak for hoarseness. M. Jousselin raised several objections, which I cleared away as fast as he put them; but I saw we might go on endlessly.
"Monsieur," I said, "let us stop. Will you or will you not give me the powder in your magazine for a thousand francs, which I have here with me?"
"Monsieur, it is impossible; there is twelve thousand francs' worth of powder."
"Then will you take my thousand francs on account and accept a draft for the remainder on the Provisional Government?"
"Monsieur, we are forbidden to sell on credit."
"Then will you give me the excise powder for nothing? It is Government powder, which is as much as to say it belongs to me, since I hold a Government order to take it and you hold none for keeping it."
"Monsieur, I would have you take notice..
"Monsieur, you are at liberty to take it, but I would have you know that you must be answerable for it to the Government."
"Oh, monsieur, why didn't you tell me that at first and so have ended our discussion long ago!"
I went up to the fireplace and took hold of an axe that lay there for chopping firewood, which I had had my eye on.
"But, monsieur," the astounded excise-keeper exclaimed, "what are you going to do now?"
"I am borrowing this axe from you to break open the door of the powder magazine.... You will find it all right at Saint-Jean, Monsieur Jousselin."
"But, monsieur," he shouted after me, "you are committing theft!"
"Yes, both theft and housebreaking, Monsieur Jousselin!"
"I warn you I shall write about this to the Minister of Finance!"
"Write to the devil, if you like, Monsieur Jousselin!"
Whilst we were talking we had reached the street door. M. Jousselin went on shouting and people began to collect in a crowd. I began to go back the way I came.
"Oh! do give us a bit of peace, monsieur!" I said, seizing hold of the axe by its handle.
"Murder! assassin!" he shouted at the top of his voice, and, shutting the door in my face, he bolted it inside.
I had not time to amuse myself by breaking open his door.