CHAPTER XXVII.
A GHOST.
Although our two friends had made their escape for the time being, theywere by no means in an enviable position, for it must be confessed thatmidnight on the roof of an unknown house is not very delightful. IronJaws and Fanfar had accomplished a miracle of strength and audacity, butwhat were they to do next?
"I must say that I should like a few hours of rest," said Gudel.
"Yes, and we must have a little talk, but where I know not."
Fanfar's tone struck his friend as being rather depressed.
"What is it?" said Gudel. "You have had encounters with the policebefore, and will have again, I imagine."
"It is not that; but first we will walk over these roofs, to the end."
"Very good!"
They started, Fanfar going a little in front. Suddenly he stopped.
"Zounds!" he said, "here is a wide courtyard; it is impossible for us tocross it. We must get down now."
"And how, for Heaven's sake!"
"By taking hold of the gutters and the balconies."
"One would suppose that we were gorillas," sighed Gudel.
"We must do something!"
"Yes, but I am a little heavy, as you have reason to acknowledge. Howcan we tell that guards are not below waiting for us. Let us see if wecan't get into some window."
"And find the room inhabited?"
"Oh! I will explain that we don't mean to steal, but that we will givehim money if he will aid us."
"Very good. Now do you take the lead, I will follow."
Fanfar was strangely preoccupied. While Gudel talked to him a voice wascontinually repeating in his ear:
"Cinette! Cinette!"
Gudel saw that there was something unusual going on in the mind of hisfriend. He had been long accustomed to unquestioning obedience toFanfar. Ever since La Roulante left him after the attempt atassassination, Gudel had been a different man and subject to fits ofgreat depression from which Fanfar alone could rouse him, and whenFanfar rushed into his room calling out, "The police! the police!" Gudelfollowed him without a question.
Suddenly Gudel stumbled. Fanfar caught him, but it was too late. Therewas a crash of broken glass. Gudel had broken one of those small windowsin the roof which landlords consider sufficient for tenants who pay onlysixty francs per annum for their attics. And from this window emerged along, strange, white object, which was probably a man, as it terminatedin a white cotton nightcap. This strange form had two long arms. Onehand held a candle and the other sheltered it from the wind. There was ayell of amazement from their throats.
"Fanfar!"
"Bobichel!"
"I thought you were dead, Bobichel," said Iron Jaws, severely.
"No, I am not dead; but I was asleep."
"You are alone!"
"Of course!"
"Then you can take us in."
Bobichel uttered an oath. "Of course I can!" he shouted.
It was clear that he was not a ghost. Ghosts do not swear nor carrycandles in their hands. Finally the three were seated in a small atticabout four yards square. They all talked at once.
How did Bobichel get there? Where had he been?
He had been taken to the hospital and there detained on account of somepeculiarities in his condition, which greatly excited the curiosity ofthe medical students. One day as Bobichel was recovering, he was in thegarden and noticed a door in the wall, and saw that the gardener hadleft his key in it. He selected the moment judiciously, and finallyfound himself on the road to Paris, where he had arrived that verymorning. He had not a sou, but he had rented this garret which thelandlord had had on his hands for three months by reason of the rats,and therefore nobly refrained from asking money in advance. A bundle ofstraw had taken his remaining five sous, and on this the ex-clownextended himself, thinking of the past and resolutely closing his eyesto the future. His first care was to regain his strength, which had beensorely taxed by his journey. While half asleep, he had heard steps onthe roof, and with a vague belief that the whole hospital force were inpursuit of him, he resolved to brave them. Fate had brought to him,however, his two best friends--Gudel and Fanfar.
After they had heard this explanation, it became Bobichel's turn toquestion.
"Let Fanfar tell you," said Gudel. "I really know nothing except that hebade me fly, that my neck has been nearly broken, and that he saved mylife; but why I have been obliged to run about over roofs in this way, Ireally can't say."
"Perhaps you are still conspiring?" asked Bobichel, innocently.
Fanfar shouted with laughter. "Yes," he replied, "and more than ever!"
"Tell me," asked the clown, "is it a difficult trade? I have nothing inthe world to do, and I must have some occupation, of course."
"We will see about that later."
"You have said nothing about Mademoiselle Caillette."
"She is in safety. She knew nothing of the pursuit of the police.To-morrow, before she begins to be uneasy, we will send her word wherewe are, and bid her come to us."
The clock struck two.
"Do you hear that, Bobichel?" said Fanfar. "You are far from strong, andmust rest."
"No, no. I have found you, and there is rest in that!"
"My dear fellow, you must get yourself into the best possible conditionif you join us. You will need your legs, I assure you. Sleep, Bobichel,sleep."
The truth was that, in spite of his good intentions, Bobichel was deadwith sleep, and presently he tumbled upon his mattress, and loud snoresinformed the two friends that he had succumbed to their entreaties.Then, and not until then, Fanfar leaned toward Gudel.
"You will admit," he said, "that I do not easily become a prey toillusions, but the truth is, that I am greatly disturbed by somethingthat has happened. Will you answer a few questions?"
"Certainly, my boy--any questions."
"You know, my second father, the strange accident by which I was thrownin your way. You have told me of the researches you made in the villageof Leigoutte. You learned, did you not, that my mother perished in afire?"
"Yes--a fire set by the Cossacks."
"And my father?"
"Died on the field of battle, in the defence of France!"
"I am haunted by a dim remembrance of a flight through the darkness,leading my little sister by my side, and then she seemed to vanish."
"And you have never seen her since?"
"No; but I have never forgotten her, and I am convinced that if she isliving she has not forgotten her brother. Ah! when I think of all this,I hate more than ever the oppressors of France, who have opened a roadto the throne over dead bodies!"
"But why are you troubled with these thoughts to-day?"
"I will tell you. My sister's name was Francine, but we called herCinette, and this evening a girl was carried away by violence from the_Veau Saute_."
"And that Aube has such a good face!"
"Oh! he was not concerned in this villainy. The crime was committed by aman who has more than once crossed our path--the Vicomte de Talizac!"
"Oh! what a family that is!" cried Gudel. "It was his lacquey, or hisfather's, who denounced us to-night!"
"This is not all. The truth is, Gudel--you will probably think memad--but I am convinced that the girl who was carried off--the onecalled Cinette--"
"You mean that you believe her to be your--"
"I can't reason," interrupted Fanfar. "It is the name of my littlesister, and the conviction is unalterable that this girl is my sister.And now I can do nothing for her, and she in such deadly peril!" Hestopped short. "Gudel," he exclaimed, "you have never seen me shrinkfrom danger?"
"Not I."
"And yet, to-night I feel as weak as a child."
Tears came into the eyes of Fanfar as he spoke. His nerves werethoroughly shaken by the exertions he had made to save Gudel andhimself.
Bobichel here lifted himself up.
"Fanfar," he said, "let me help you!"
At these kind word
s uttered by this honest, faithful voice, Fanfarstarted. He had no right to despair, he said to himself, when he hadsuch friends.
"You are right, Bobichel," he cried. "I have no right to talk of myenergy, for I am trembling like a woman!"
"I should like to tell you what I think, sir," the clown stammered,"though I do not wish to take a liberty, but didn't you say you thoughtyou had found your sister?"
"Oh! do not say that!"
"Yes, I must say it, and I think it would be best if you made up yourmind that it was she, and acted on that supposition."
"I think you are right. I am told that this girl lives with a poorparalytic. I will go to her and question her. From her replies I shallbe able to judge if chance has really put me on the track of her whom Ilost so long ago. But we ought to follow these scoundrels at once!"
"I will see to them!" said Iron Jaws.
"Can you give me the smallest clue?"
"Only that of Robeccal's name."
"Robeccal's name!" exclaimed Bobichel. "If he has anything to do withthis matter I will soon finish him up."
Fanfar laid his hand on Gudel's shoulder.
"My friend," he said, "I hesitate to touch an unhealed wound, but wemust speak frankly to each other. La Roulante and this Robeccal wentaway together. This woman was thoroughly vicious; it is difficult toimagine the scale of vice to which she would not fall. I am sorry topain you, but I feel sure if Robeccal has assisted in carrying away thisgirl that he has placed her with La Roulante. Therefore, while I go tosee Cinette's sick friend, you will hunt up this woman and heraccomplice. Will you do this, Gudel?"
Gudel, whose face had been buried in his hands, now looked up.
"Fanfar," he said, "were I to die of shame and grief, I will obey you,for I should be doing a good act."
"This girl must be saved! I dare not indulge in the hope that she isCinette, and, moreover, I need all my courage. Gudel, your hand.Bobichel, I rely on you!"
These friends in a cordial grasp of their hands, exchanged a solemn oathwhich bound them to the sacred cause of justice.