"Then I have time to go down and visit fourline. I want to speak to old No-Eyes."
"Will you go into the Schoolmaster's cellar?" inquired Tortillard, scarcely concealing his diabolical delight.
"What's that to you?"
"To me?"
"Yes, you ask me the question with such an odd air."
"Because I was thinking of something odd."
"What?"
"Why, that you ought, at least, to have brought him a pack of cards to pass away his time," replied Tortillard, with a cunning look; "that would divert him a little; now he has nothing to play at but not to be bitten by the rats; and he always wins at that game, and after awhile it becomes tiresome."
The Chouette laughed heartily at Tortillard's wit, and said to the cripple:
"Love of a baby boy to his mammy! I do not know any chap who has more vice than this scamp. Go and get me a candle, that you may light me down to see fourline, and you can help me to open his door. You know that I can hardly push it by myself."