When the servant left the room, the brigand got up, took his plate, and seated himself beside Rodolph and between him and the door.
"We can talk better," he said, "and need not talk so loud."
"And then you can prevent me from going out," replied Rodolph, calmly.
The Schoolmaster gave a nod in the affirmative, and then, half drawing out of the pocket of his frock coat a stiletto, round and as thick as a goose's quill, with a handle of wood which disappeared in the grasp of his hairy fingers, said:
"You see that?"
"I do."
"Advice to amateurs!" And bringing his shaggy brows together, by a frown which made his wide and flat forehead closely resemble a tiger's, he made a significant gesture.
"And you may believe me," added the Chouette, "I have made the tool sharp."
Rodolph, with perfect coolness, put his hand under his blouse, and took out a double-barrelled pistol, which he showed to the Schoolmaster, and then put into his pocket.
"All right; and now we understand each other; but do not misunderstand me, I am only alluding to an impossibility. If they try to arrest me, and you have laid any trap for me, I will make 'cold meat' of you."