“I mean to make it by and by,” returned Paichoux decidedly.
“But now, at this moment, what a story it could tell if it had a voice! Well, I’m glad we’ve got it out of that scamp’s clutches.”
“So am I,” returned Paichoux, opening the case as he spoke and showing Tante Modeste something on the inside of it. “I can get a trace through this, or I’m mistaken; but put it away now in my safe, and say nothing about it,—I don’t want even Madelon to know that we’ve got it, and, Modeste, whenever you see that woman, be on the alert for something that will give us a clue.”
“Oh, Paichoux, you don’t know her. She’s as close as the grave, and too cunning to betray herself. I’m always watching her, and I mean to keep on; but I don’t think it’s any use. I wish we could employ a detective to unravel the mystery.”
“Yes, yes; but that would cost a good deal, Modeste; let’s wait awhile, something’s going to turn up to put us on the right track.”
“And in the mean while the poor little darling is in the power of that woman. The child never complains, but my heart aches for her. She has changed this summer; she looks thin and weak, and that woman takes no more care of her than she would of a dog. If it wasn’t for Madelon and Pepsie, and Mam’selle d’Hautreve, the little creature would suffer; and our good milk that I send to Madelon has helped her through the hot weather. Pepsie herself goes without, to give it to the child. If the sweet little thing hadn’t made friends, she would have perished.”
“Let her come down here and play with our young ones; there’s room enough,” said Paichoux good-naturedly, “and she’s no more trouble than a bird hopping about.”
“I wanted to have her, but madame won’t let her come; she’s taken it in her head to keep the child shut up most of the time. Pepsie and Mam’selle Diane complain that they don’t have her as often as they’d like to. I think she’s afraid that the child may talk. You see she’s getting older, and she may remember more than madame likes her to.”
“Well,” said Paichoux deliberately, “I’ve made a plan, and by and by I’m going to put it in operation. Just keep quiet and wait until I’m ready to put my plan in operation.”
And Tante Modeste promised to wait.