"Don't disturb yourself,—I never close my establishment before midnight," said Bras Rouge, in his falsetto voice; "it is the time when my best customers drop in; and my neighbours never complain of the noise which is made in my house."
"I must agree to all you wish, young man," continued the Schoolmaster. "Be it so, then; we will not set out on our visit until ten o'clock."
"Here is the Chouette!" said Bras Rouge, hearing and replying to a warning cry similar to that which the Schoolmaster had uttered before he descended to the subterraneous abode.
A minute afterwards the Chouette entered the billiard-room alone.
"It is all right, my man,—I've done the trick!" cried the one-eyed hag, as she entered.
Bras Rouge discreetly withdrew, without asking a word about Tortillard, whom, perhaps, he did not expect to see return. The beldam sat with her face towards Rodolph and the brigand.
"Well?" said the Schoolmaster.
"The young fellow has told us all true, so far."
"Ah! you see I was right," exclaimed Rodolph.
"Let the Chouette tell her tale, young man. Come, tell us all about it, Finette."