Twenty francs! It was quite a fortune to the child, and yet she
hesitated.

"Did the master give you no note for me?" she asked, at length.

"How suspicious you are! What are you afraid of!"

"Nothing. I will call at the restaurant now, when I go out."

"You must decide now, for if you decline I am to go for the man who has
no arms, but who sings so well."

Robeccal showed her a card on which was written the girl's address and
that of the armless singer.

Francine's hesitation vanished--she accepted the proposition.

"I will go," she said, "and at what hour?"

"At eight o'clock, sharp," Robeccal replied.

"And how long shall I be wanted?"

A wicked light came into the man's eyes.

"I don't know exactly--until ten or eleven, I suppose."

"But I must be home before midnight."

"Oh! of course; and if you are afraid to come alone, I am at your
service. And now, good-bye."

He ran lightly down the stairs. When he reached the street he looked
around. A man wrapped in a large cloak, a disguise much employed at that
time, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat, approached him.

"Well?" he said, quickly.

"It is all right!" answered Robeccal. "She will come."

This man, who was none other than Fernando, the worthy friend of the
Vicomte de Talizac, now slipped a gold piece into the scoundrel's hand.

"Twenty louis more," he said, "when the affair is accomplished!"

"Very good, sir. When I undertake anything, it is sure, let me tell you.
La Roulante will see to everything."

The two men separated.

While these two accomplices were talking, Francine had reached the
Square where she was to sing.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE VEAU SAUTE.

"Hurry up, Perrette! How about that sauce? Have you forgotten the
parsley?"

And the proprietor of the _Veau Saute_ tore about in the most distracted
manner. Aube had dreamed of vast rooms and huge kitchens, but the
obstinacy of the people already living in the same building could not be
conquered, and as yet he had not obtained the space he desired. They
resisted every offer and every threat he made. He could have borne it
better had these refractory persons been tenants whose vicinity added
_eclat_ to his establishment. But it was not so. These tenants were a
man known as Iron Jaws, a rope dancer called Fanfar, a girl named
Caillette, and a clown with an odd name.

This Fanfar gave lessons in prestigiation, but the people who went up
his private stairs were well dressed, a