ound of wheels made him suppose that Jules had succeeded in getting
a cab at the Auteuil station. Then the trot-trot-trot of a horse became
audible: a few moments later a cab drew up at the edge of the pavement.

A hoarse voice was heard.

"It's not a long journey, I hope!" said the hoarse, grumbling voice of
the cabman.

"To Police Headquarters," replied the pretended police inspector.

"We shall see about that!" thought Fandor. "That address is to throw
dust in Madame Bourrat's eyes. They will change their destination on the
way. I bet on it!..."

"The brutes! Are they going to jam my cage and me on to the seat?"
Fandor asked himself, for they had seized the trunk and were beginning
to lift it up. ... "Am I to be stuck upside down beside the driver? I
don't fancy so!... We must weigh at least ninety kilos, as I weigh
seventy myself!"

Fandor's mind was soon made easy on that score. After a fruitless
attempt to hoist the trunk to the box seat, they decided to put it on to
the back seat of the Victoria. One of the bandits planted himself on the
little folding seat opposite the trunk: the other bandit mounted to the
box seat next the driver.

The two bandits took leave of Madame Bourrat. The rickety old vehicle
started off. Presently, Fandor heard what he had expected to hear: one
of his captors told the driver to take them to some other address than
Police Headquarters. Owing to the rattling of the ramshackle cab--it
lacked rubber tyres--Fandor, though listening with ears astretch, could
not hear one word distinctly.

Soon pale gleams of light began to filter through the wickerwork: dawn
was near.

"Ah, we shall soon reach our destination," thought Fandor. "I don't
fancy my trunk lifters will wish to be seen with this turnout in broad
daylight! Now, where the deuce are we going?"

In vain did Fandor strive to follow the route taken by the bandits! He
had noted each shock and counter-shock produced by cobbled streets and
smooth roads, by bumping against pavements, by crossed tram lines and
sharp turnings!...

The cab stopped with a jolt and a jerk. The two men got out. The trunk
was lifted down to the pavement. The driver was paid. He rattled off.

"Now trunk and I are in for it!" thought Fandor.

A bell pealed. A courtyard entrance gate was thrown open. The two men
lifted the trunk, cursing under their breath at its weight.

In passing under the archway they called some name unknown to Fandor and
so un