A
pair of pretty creatures they look, as ever you would wish to see, and,
I doubt not, sick enough of each other's company by this time."

"And my poor Murphy! What a selfish wretch must I be to think only of
myself! Where is he wounded, David?"

"In the right side, my lord; but, fortunately, towards the lower false
rib."

"Oh, I must have a deep and terrible revenge for this! David, I depend
upon your assistance."

"My lord knows full well that I am wholly devoted to him, both body and
soul," replied the negro, coldly.

"But how, my noble fellow, were you able to arrive here in time?" said
Rodolph to the Chourineur.

"Why, if you please, my lor--no, sir--highness--Rodolph--I had better
begin by the beginning--"

"Quite right. I am listening,--go on. But mind, you are only to call me
M. Rodolph."

"Very well. You know that last night you told me, after you returned
from the country, where you had gone with poor Goualeuse, 'Try and find
the Schoolmaster in the Cite; tell him you know of a capital "put-up,"
that you have refused to join it, but that if he will take your place he
has only to be to-morrow (that's to-day) at the barrier of Bercy, at the
Panier-Fleuri, and there he will see the man who has "made the plant"
(_qui a nourri le poupard_).'"

"Well."

"On leaving you, I pushed on briskly for the Cite. I goes to the
ogress's,--no Schoolmaster; then to the Rue Saint Eloi; on to the Rue
aux Feves; then to the Rue de la Vieille Draperie,--couldn't find my
man. At last I stumbled upon him and that old devil's kin, Chouette, in
the front of Notre Dame, at the shop of a tailor, who is a 'fence'[8]
and thief; they were 'sporting the blunt' which they had prigged from
the tall gentleman in black, who wanted to do something to you; they
bought themselves some toggery. The Chouette bargained for a red
shawl,--an old monster! I told my tale to the Schoolmaster and he
snapped at it, and said he would be at the rendezvous accordingly. So
far so good. This morning, according to your orders, I ran here to bring
you the answer. You said to me, 'My lad, return to-morrow before
daybreak; you must pass the day in the house, and in the evening you
will see something which will be worth seeing.' You did not let out more
than that, but I was 'fly,' and said to myself, 'This is a "dodge" to
catch the Schoolmaster to-morrow, by laying a right bait for him. He is
a----scoundrel; he murdered the cattle-dealer, and, as they say