THE RED DRAGON

of two years and 80 francs, he said to himself, that is well paid."
He made the observation to the sorcerer.

— Imbecile, replied the latter, it is not 80 francs, it is 1,000 francs, it is 10,000 francs that I should ask of you. What! I give you the means to earn millions and you haggle!

Despite his credulity, Claude Michu then found a retort that slightly unsettled the poise of the con artist.

— But Father Simounen, he said, since your recipe is so good and worth so much money, why then have you not thought of using it yourself?

— Why? Why?... stammered the sorcerer, astonished by the objection, because...

Then, suddenly regaining his composure. — That mystery is not your concern, little one, he grumbled. — You must not put your nose into my business, remember that in the future; failing which it could cost you dearly.

This crude defeat and the threat that accompanied it had all the effect that Simounen expected.
Claude Michu lowered his head, saying:

— Excuse me, Master Simounen, I did not want to offend you.

Then he took leave of his cunning companion and returned to the farm at the moment when the day was about to appear.

---

The following Thursday, Claude Michu equipped himself with all his savings, tightened them in a leather purse, and left for town with the intention of buying the donkey that the magic shepherd had requested of him.

After having walked for an hour or two in the market, he found what he wanted: a fine donkey, two years old, solid on its hocks and prom-