"And I will spring upon him and help you, _fourline_," cried the
Chouette.

Rodolph made no reply, but shrugged his shoulders, and, pouring out a
glass of wine, tossed it off. His coolness deceived the Schoolmaster.

"I only put you on your guard."

"Well, then, put up your 'larding-pin' into your pocket; you have no
chicken to lard now. I am an old cock, and know my game as well as
most," said Rodolph. "But, to our business."

"Yes, let us talk of business; but do not speak against my
'larding-pin;' it makes no noise, and does not disturb anybody."

"And does its work as should be; doesn't it, _fourline_?" added the old
beldam.

"By the way," said Rodolph to the Chouette, "do you really know the
Goualeuse's parents?"

"My man has in his pocket two letters about it, but she shall never see
them,--the little slut! I would rather tear her eyes out with my own
hands. Oh, when I meet her again at the _tapis-franc_, won't I pay her
off--"

"There, that'll do, Finette; we have other things to talk of, and so
leave off your gossip."

"May we 'patter' before the 'mot?'" asked Rodolph.

"Most decidedly! She's true as steel, and is worth her weight in gold to
watch for us, to get information or impressions of keys, to conceal
stolen goods or sell them,--nothing comes amiss to her. She is a
first-rate manager. Good Finette!" added the robber, extending his hand
to the horrid hag. "You can have no idea of the services she has done
me. Take off your shawl, Finette, or you'll be cold when you go out; put
it on the chair with your basket."

The Chouette took off her shawl.

In spite of his presence of mind, and the command which he had over
himself, Rodolph could not quite conceal his surprise when he saw
suspended by a ring of silver, from a thick chain of metal which hung
round the old creature's neck, a small Saint Esprit in lapis lazuli,
precisely resembling that which the son of Madame Georges had round his
neck when he was carried off.

At this discovery, a sudden idea flashed across the mind of Rodolph.
According to the Chourineur's statement, the Schoolmaster had escaped
from the Bagne six months ago, and had since defied all search after him
by disfiguring himself as he had now; and six months ago the husband of
Madame Georges had disappeared from the Bagne. Rodolph surmised that,
very possibly, the Schoolmaster was the husband of that unhappy lady. If
this were so, he knew the fate of the son she lamented,