"Nonsense; perhaps you are ill."
"I don't feel well, that's true."
"Then let's leave the place; we have nothing more to do here, and it is time we were on the way to Nantes."
"No, no, not yet."
"Why not yet?"
"Let us hide here and listen. People are about, and they are watching for us; and if they are watching for us they'll guard the door. Oh, my God! my God! can it be that they are after my gold already?" moaned the farmer, trying to fasten the belt about his waist, but trembling so violently that he could not do it.
"My good friend, you are certainly losing your head," said Monsieur Hyacinthe, who proved to be the more courageous man of the two. "Let us put out the light and hide in the cellar. We can see from there if you are mistaken."
"You are right, you are right," said Courtin, blowing out the candle as he opened the cellar door and went down the first step into the inundated vault.
But he went no farther. A cry of terror burst from him, in which could be heard the words:--
"Help, help! Monsieur Hyacinthe!"