"You laugh, M. Borel. But if all these stories are believed, why do they not pay Mother Burette and myself a visit?"
"You know well why—not to startle these bandits whom you have for so long a time promised to deliver to us."
"And I am going to deliver them to you, M. Narcisse; in one hour's time you shall have them bound, and without much trouble, for there are three women. Barbillon and Nicholas Martial are as ferocious as tigers, but cowardly as chickens."
"Tigers or chickens," said Borel, opening his long riding coat and showing the butt-ends of two pistols, which stuck out of his trousers pockets, "I have something here to serve them."
"You will do well to take two of your men with you, M. Borel; when they find themselves cornered, the greatest cowards become sometimes tigers."
"I will place two of my men in the little lower room, alongside of the one where you will put the broker. At the first cry, I will appear at one door, my two men at the other."
"You must make haste, for the band may arrive any moment, M. Borel."
"So be it; I go to place my men. I hope it will not be for nothing this time."
The conversation was interrupted by the concerted signal. Bras-Rouge looked out of a window to see whom Tortillard announced.
"Look! here is La Chouette, already! Well! do you believe me now, M.
Narcisse?"