"He is a burglar, a galley affair; we receive his plunder; if it is discovered, we shall be condemned to the same punishment as receivers, and you also; the family will be carried off, and the children will be turned into the streets, where they will learn the trade of your father and grandfather quite as well as here."
"I arrested as a receiver, as your accomplice! On what proof?"
"No one knows how you live; you are a vagrant on the water—you have the reputation of a bad man—you live with us. Who will you make believe that you are ignorant of our doings?"
"I will prove the contrary."
"We will accuse you as our accomplice."
"Accuse me! why?"
"To reward you for remaining here in spite of us."
"Just now you wished to alarm me in one way; now it is in another; that don't take. I shall prove that I have never stolen. I remain."
"Ah! you remain? Listen, then, once more; do you remember what happened last Christmas night?"
"Christmas night?" said Martial, endeavoring to collect his thoughts.