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,--he possessed, too, some papers relative to the birth of the Goualeuse. Rodolph had, then, fresh motives for persevering in his projects, and, fortunately, his absence of mind was not observed by the Schoolmaster, who was busy helping the Chouette.
"_Morbleu!_ What a pretty chain you have!" said Rodolph to the one-eyed woman.
"Pretty, and not dear," answered the old creature, laughing. "It is only a sham till my man can afford to give me a real one."
"That will depend on this gentleman, Finette. If our job comes off well, why then--"
"It is astonishing how well it is imitated," continued Rodolph. "And what is that little blue thing at the end?"
"It is a present from my man, which I shall wear until he gives me a 'ticker.' Isn't it, _fourline_?"
Rodolph's suspicions were thus half confirmed, and he waited with anxiety for the reply of the Schoolmaster, who said:
"You must take care of that, notwithstanding the 'ticker,' Finette; it is a talisman, and brings good luck."
"A talisman!" said Rodolph, in a careless tone; "do you believe in talismans? And where the devil did you pick it up? Give me the address of the shop."
"They do not make them now; the shop is shut up. As you see it, that bit of jewelry has a very great antiquity,--three generations. I value it highly, for it is a family loom," added he, with a hideous grin; "and that's why I gave it to Finette, that she might have good fortune in the enterprises in which she so skilfully seconds me. Only see her at work! only see her! If we go into 'business' together, why--But let us now to our affair in hand. You say that in the Allée des Veuves--"
"At No. 17 there is a house inhabited by a rich man, whose name is--"
"I will not be guilty of the indiscretion of asking his name. You say there are sixty thousand francs in gold in a cabinet?"