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Tortillard went to get a light, and La Chouette, elated with the success of her robbery, amused herself while he was gone in handling the precious jewels in her basket. It was to conceal temporarily this treasure that she wished to visit the Schoolmaster in his cellar, and not to torment, as was her usual custom, her victim.
Since the departure of Bradamanti, who had accompanied the step-mother of Madame d'Harville to Normandy, Tortillard had returned to his father's house. Placed as lookout on the top of the staircase leading down to the inn, the little cripple was to notify the arrival of the Martials by a concerted signal, Bras-Rouge being then in secret conference with Narcisse Borel, a police-officer.
"That you must have brought a pack of cards along to amuse him," answered Tortillard, in a cunning manner; "it will be a little change for him; he only plays at biting with the rats; in that game he always wins, and in the end it tires him." La Chouette laughed violently at this witticism, and said to the little cripple, "Mamma's little monkey.
"Tortillard, call your father!" cried La Chouette, in a breathless, exhausted tone. "Help, help!" "Turn out that old woman! turn her out! We can't hear," said the little cripple, screaming with laughter. "Silence! out with her!" The cries of La Chouette could not reach the upper apartments. The wretch, seeing she had no aid to expect from the son of Bras-Rouge, tried a last effort.
He has consumed all his prison money, and I believe he has none left." "I say, look out; he's broke his ticket-of-leave." "I know it well; but I can't get rid of him. I believe he is after something. Little Tortillard, the son of Bras-Rouge, came here the other night with Barbillon, to look for him. I am afraid he will do some harm to my good lodgers that damnable Robin.
"Some other time, I say; I must return at once." "Why, then, do you open the door of his prison?" "None of your business. Come, now, will you finish? The Martials, perhaps, are already above; I want to speak to them. Be a good boy, and you sha'n't be sorry; go on." "I must love you well, La Chouette, for you can make me do just as you please," said Tortillard, advancing slowly.
"Take care, old man!" cried Tortillard; "you are cutting into the parson's part! Found out, found out!" The Schoolmaster paid no attention. "Does it astonish you to hear me talk thus, La Chouette? If I had continued to harden myself, either by other bloody misdeeds, or by the savage drunkenness of a galley-slave's life, this salutary change in me had never taken place, I know well.
Then I think I awake from a vivid dream; but I feel myself weak, exhausted, broken, and will you believe it oh! how you will laugh, La Chouette I weep do you hear? I weep. You do not laugh? But laugh! I say, laugh!" La Chouette uttered a stifled groan. "Louder," cried Tortillard; "we can't hear." "Yes," continued the Schoolmaster, "I wept, for I suffered, and rage is fruitless.
Tortillard, seated on the stone step, began to stamp his feet in the manner peculiar to spectators anxious for the commencement of a play; then he uttered the familiar cry of the "gods" in the penny-gaffs. "Hoist that rag! trot 'em out! Begin, begin! Music, music!" "Oh, I have you as I wish," murmured the Schoolmaster from the bottom of the cellar, "and you shall "
You speak of killing her; it's only a joke, is it not! I like my Chouette. I have lent her to you, but you must return her to me. Don't damage her. I will not have any one harm my Chouette, or I will go and call papa." "Be not alarmed; she shall only have what she deserves a profitable lesson," said the robber, to reassure Tortillard, fearing that the cripple would go for help. "Very good! bravo!
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