Drawing his sword as well as his short arms and fat little body permitted, Maître Picard placed himself before the prisoner, and two of the others followed. In this state they started off, the hatter leaving Blacquart in charge of his shop, and proceeded towards the nearest corps du garde. But, as they were passing down the Rue de la Harpe, Camille, who had been watching his opportunity, suddenly tripped up the chapelier, and sent him rolling into the kennel that rushed down the middle of the street, before he had time to save himself. He then as rapidly dealt a couple of heavy blows to his followers, and whilst they were aghast at the unexpected attack, rushed down the Rue du Foin, in the obscurity of which he was immediately lost. But we must follow him along it, leaving the two guards, first to recover themselves and then to pick up Maître Picard, in as sorry a plight as might well be.
Flying along the narrow thoroughfare, a few minutes brought Camille to his abode in the Place Maubert. He went directly to the apartment of Philippe Glazer, who was at home, and briefly told him what had happened.
‘It will not stop here,’ said Theria. ‘That wretched bourgeois can make a nasty business of it if he likes, and I must leave Paris at once.’
‘Immediately?’ asked Glazer.
‘Directly. My studies, such as they have been, are nearly finished, and Liège will do for me to settle at as well as anywhere else. Besides, it is my home.’
‘Can I assist you in anything?’ asked Philippe.
‘In one thing only—a little money, for I am quite cleaned out by mes camarades. In return, Philippe, I leave you everything—my books, my rapier, and my Estelle—poor Estelle! Don’t ever part with my rapier whatever you do.’
Glazer smiled at his friend’s speech, as he collected what little money he had by him, and gave to the other.
‘Ten thousand thanks, Philippe,’ said Camille, ‘it shall be repaid some day; we do not cheat one another.’
‘I will trust you,’ said Glazer; ‘is there anything else I can do for you?’