"First, let me go and wake Segoffin, monsieur," pleaded Suzanne. "I tried before I came to you, but this time I will knock so loud that he can't help hearing me."
"And at the same time wake my daughter and frighten her nearly to death by all this hubbub in the house."
"You are right, monsieur, and yet you ought not to venture out entirely alone."
"What are you doing, Onésime?" asked Cloarek, seeing the younger man making his way toward the door. "Where are you going?"
"I am going with you, monsieur."
"And what for?"
"My aunt thinks there may be some danger, monsieur."
"And of what assistance could you be?" asked Yvon, not curtly or scornfully this time, for Onésime's devotion touched him.
"It is true that I can be of very little assistance," sighed the unfortunate youth, "but if there is any danger, I can at least share it, and, though my sight is poor, perhaps, as a sort of compensation, I can hear remarkably well, so I may be able to find out which way the men went if they are still prowling around the house."
This artless offer was made with such evident sincerity, that Cloarek, exchanging a compassionate look with Suzanne, said, kindly: