"Yes, but I—I cannot this evening—"
"Really? Well, and I—I cannot to-morrow."
"Why not?"
"For the reason that prevents you this evening," said the robber, in a tone of mockery.
After a moment's reflection, Rodolph replied:
"Well, then, this evening be it. Where shall we meet?"
"We will not separate," said the Schoolmaster.
"Why not?"
"Why should we?"
"What is the use of separating? The weather has cleared up, and we will go and walk about, and give a look at the Allée des Veuves; you will see how my woman will work. When that is done, we will return and play a hand at piquet, and have a bit of something in a place in the Champs Elysées that I know, near the river; and, as the Allée des Veuves is deserted at an early hour, we will walk that way about ten o'clock."