"
"Ah! Maitre Coyctier, you are a wise man."
"I am your physician," replied the other, insolently.
At this answer, Louis XI. made the gesture which was customary with
him when a good idea was presented to his mind; he shoved up his cap
with a hasty motion.
"At such times," continued Coyctier, "persons attend to their business
while asleep. As this man is fond of hoarding, he has simply pursued
his dearest habit. No doubt each of these attacks have come on after a
day in which he has felt some fears about the safety of his treasure."
"Pasques-Dieu! and such treasure!" cried the king.
"Where is it?" asked Cornelius, who, by a singular provision of
nature, heard the remarks of the king and his physician, while
continuing himself almost torpid with thought and the shock of this
singular misfortune.
"Ha!" cried Coyctier, bursting into a diabolical, coarse laugh,
"somnambulists never remember on their waking what they have done when
asleep."
"Leave us," said the king.
When Louis XI. was alone with his silversmith, he looked at him and
chuckled coldly.
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