“Then he shall burn them before our eyes!”
And they pushed Reteau into his shop.
CHAPTER XXXI.
HOW TWO FRIENDS BECAME ENEMIES.
Aldegonde, however, had gone to fetch the guard; but before she returned they had had time to light a fire with the first numbers, and were throwing them in, one after another, as quickly as possible, when the guard appeared, followed by a crowd of ragged men, women, and boys.
Happily, Philippe and Charny knew Reteau’s secret exit, so when they caught sight of the guard they made their escape through it, carrying the key with them.
Then Reteau began crying “Murder!” while Aldegonde, seeing the flames through the window, cried “Fire!”
The soldiers arrived, but finding the young men gone, and the house not on fire, went away again, leaving Reteau to bathe his bruises. But the crowd lingered about all day, hoping to see a renewal of the fun.
When Taverney and Charny found themselves in the Rue Vieux Augustins, “Monsieur,” said Charny, “now we have finished that business, can I be of any use to you?”
“Thanks, sir, I was about to ask you the same question.”
“Thank you, but I have private business which will probably keep me in Paris all day.”