"Yes, monsieur, and your humble servant."
"I am yours," replied Gaston, "I have to thank you for a pot of sweetmeats, and I shall not forget my obligation."
"In that case, monsieur," replied the prisoner, "have the kindness to detach the bell, and fasten on the Virgil instead."
"But if you have not the light, you cannot read."
"Oh, I will make another lantern."
Gaston, who trusted to his neighbor's ingenuity, after the proofs he had had of it, made no further difficulties; he took the bell, which he placed in the neck of an empty bottle, and fastened on the Virgil, conscientiously replacing a letter which fell from between the leaves.
"Thank you, monsieur," said Dumesnil; "and now, if you will reply to your neighbor below?"
"You give me liberty?"
"Yes, monsieur; though presently I shall make an appeal to your good nature."
"At your orders, monsieur; you say, then, that for the letters——?"