her a
kick in the stomach, which sent her neck over crop; she got up, and in a
desperate rage. I could do no more; I still held on and struggled with
the Schoolmaster, but he kept giving me such dreadful blows on my jaw
that I was about to let go my hold, when I saw three or four armed men
who came down the stairs, and M. Murphy, pale as ashes, and with
difficulty supporting himself with the assistance of the doctor here.
They seized hold of the Schoolmaster and the Chouette, and soon bound
them hand and foot. That was not all, I still wanted M. Rodolph. I
sprang at the Chouette; remembering the tooth of the poor dear
Goualeuse, I grasped her arm and twisted it, saying, 'Where is M.
Rodolph?' She bore it well, and silently. I took a second turn, and then
she screeched out, 'At Bras Rouge's, in the vault at the Bleeding
Heart!' All right! As I went, I meant to take Tortillard from his
cabbage-bed, as it was on my road. I looked for him, but only found my
blouse,--he had gnawed his way out with his teeth. I reached the
Bleeding Heart, and I laid hold of Bras Rouge. 'Where is the young man
who came here this evening with the Schoolmaster?' 'Don't squeeze so
hard, and I'll tell you. They wanted to play him a trick and shut him up
in my cellar; we'll go now and let him out.' We went down, but there was
no one to be seen. 'He must have gone out whilst my back was turned,'
says Bras Rouge; 'you see plain enough he is not here.' I was going away
sad enough, when, by the light of the lantern, I saw at the bottom of
the cellar another door. I ran towards it and opened the door, and had,
as it were, a pail of water thrown at me. I saw your two poor arms in
the air. I fished you out and brought you here on my back, as there was
nobody at hand to get a coach. That's all my tale, M. Rodolph; and I may
say, without bragging, that I am satisfied with myself."

"My man, I owe my life to you; it is a heavy debt, but be assured I will
pay it. David, will you go and learn how Murphy is," added Rodolph, "and
return again instantly?"

The black went out.

"Where is the Schoolmaster, my good fellow?"

"In another room, with the Chouette. You will send for the police, M.
Rodolph?"

"No."

"You surely will not let him go! Ah, M. Rodolph, none of that
nonsensical generosity! I say again, he is a mad dog,--let the
passengers look out!"

"He will never bite again, be assured."

"Then you are going to shut him up somewhere?"

"No; in