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It was a large place, and as it would be impossible for Anton to guess that they had gone by train at all, they would have such a good start of him that he would probably not be able to find them again. Pericard also proposed that they should start at once, and as they had no money to spare for cabs or omnibuses, they must walk to the distant terminus from which they must start for the south.
Mgr. de Péricard, Bishop of Evreux, was not present at the ordination of his cousin; death had taken him away, but before expiring, besides expressing his regret to the new priest for having tried at the time, thinking to further the aims of God, to dissuade him from the ecclesiastical life, he gave him a last proof of his affection by appointing him archdeacon of his cathedral.
After thinking a moment, he offered one franc for the worthless garment. Pericard could not part with it for a franc. Then he offered two. Pericard stuck out for three. He would give the greasy and ragged old coat for three francs. The Jew felt the pocket again. It was a large sum to risk for what in itself was not worth many sous; but, then, he might not have such a chance again.
Had he then a shallow heart? Who can tell? He was a genuine specimen of the ordinary Paris gamin. Pericard now much enjoyed the idea of taking Cecile and Maurice out to the rather distant suburb called the Faubourg St. He knew perfectly how to get there. He knew that Cecile, who understood no French wanted to find herself there.
Pericard, who was well up to Paris, and knew not only every place of amusement, nearly every stall-owner, nearly every trade, and every possible way of securing a sou, but also had in his head a fund of odd knowledge with regard to railway stations, could now counsel the children what station to go to, and even what train to take on their way south.
Pericard seemed to know the place well. Maurice screamed with delight at the sight of so much delicious food, and even patient Toby licked his chops, and owned to himself that their morning's breakfast had been very scanty. Cecile alone too intent on her mission to be hungry felt little interest in the tempting stalls. Pericard, however, began to lay in provisions judiciously.
He only hoped, as he resigned himself to his fate, that they would return before Joe did. Pericard was a genuine French lad. Perhaps few boys had undergone more hardships in his life; he had known starvation, he had known blows, he had felt in their extremity both winter's cold and summer's heat. True, his old grandmother gave him what she could, both of love and kindness.
Finally, he made up his mind, and put three francs into Pericard's eager hand. Instantly the old fellow pounced upon his hidden treasure. Behold! a solitary a miserable centime. His rage knew no bounds! He called it an infamous robbery! He shouted to Pericard to take back his rags! Whistling and laughing, the French boy exclaimed: "Pas si bete!" and then returned to the children.
Pericard broke the neck of the bottle on the cellar wall. He then gave the children a drink by turns in a little tin mug. "And now," he said in French, "we must be off. Anton is in the house; he is waiting for you all; he is roaring with anger and rage; he would be out looking for you, but luckily or you could not escape he is lame.
You don't know how fast the train took me and Maurice and Toby to London, and perhaps it would take us a good bit of the way south so that Anton could not find us; that is my plan, Joe, and you won't have to go to prison, Joe, dear." It was very late, in fact quite night, when Pericard returned. By this time the rats had come out in troops, and even Toby could scarcely keep them at bay.
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