"Yes, let us know all about it, Gros-Boiteux," continued the Skeleton, who did not take his eyes off Frank.
"Well, then," said Gros-Boiteux, "a man of Nantes, named Velu, a freed convict, brought up the young fellow, whose birth no one is acquainted with. When he had reached the proper age they put him into a banking-house at Nantes, thinking they had put a wolf to watch the money-box, and make use of Germain to do a bold and great stroke which had been meditated for a very long time. There were to be two coups, a forgery and a dip into the strong chest at the bank, something like a hundred and fifty thousand francs. All was arranged, and Velu relied on the young fellow as on himself, for the chap slept in the room in which the iron safe was. Velu told him his plans; Germain neither says yes or no, but reveals all to his employer, and the very same evening cuts his stick and mizzles to Paris."
The prisoners burst into various murmurs of indignation and threats.
"He's a spy—nose—informer!—and we'll have the bones out of his body!"
"If it's agreeable, I'll seek a quarrel with him, and settle his hash!"
"Silence in the stone jug!" exclaimed the Skeleton, in a tone of command.
The prisoners were silent.
"Go on," said the prévôt to Gros-Boiteux, and he went on smoking.
"Believing that Germain had consented, and relying on his assistance, Velu and two of his friends attempted the job that same night. The banker was on the watch; one of Velu's friends was taken as he was entering a window, he himself escaping with difficulty. He reached Paris enraged at having been sold by Germain, and foiled in a splendid affair. One fine day he met the young fellow; it was in the open daylight, and he didn't dare do anything, but he followed him, found out where he lived, and one night we two, Velu and little Ledru, fell on Germain. Unfortunately he escaped, and then changed his residence in the Rue du Temple, where he lived; we were unable to find him afterwards. But if he is here, I demand—"
"You have nothing to demand," said the Skeleton, in a tone of authority.