They entered the room. Dubois made a sign to Tapin, who appeared in the first room, followed by two men, then shut the door behind him.
Tapin's two followers went to the window of the common room, and drew the curtains, while Tapin placed himself behind the door of Jonquiere's room, so as to be hidden by it when it opened. The host now returned from La Jonquiere's room, to write down the receipt for the money which La Jonquiere had just paid him for the wine, when Tapin threw a handkerchief over his mouth, and carried him off like a feather to a second carriage standing at the door. One of the men seized the little girl who was cooking eggs, the other carried off the servant, and soon they were all on the way to St. Lazare, drawn by two such good horses that it was evidently not a real hired car.
Tapin remained behind, and taking from a closet a calico apron and waistcoat, signed to a loiterer who was looking in at the window, and who quickly transformed himself into a publican.
At this moment a violent noise was heard in the captain's room, as of a table thrown down with bottles and glasses; then oaths, then the clinking of a sword, then silence.
Presently a carriage was heard rolling away up the Rue de Deux-Boules. Tapin looked joyous.
"Bravo," said he, "that is done."
"It was time, masters," said the pretended publican, "for here is a customer."
CHAPTER XIV.
TRUST TO SIGNS OF GRATITUDE.
Tapin at first thought that it was the Chevalier de Chanlay, but it was only a woman who wanted a pint of wine.