During the whole of that day every movement by the Nut and Chéri-Bibi was spied upon by the Burglar, and not a word was exchanged by them which was not either overheard or guessed by him.
The Burglar said, between times, to the Parisian, the Caid and the Joker:
"Hold yourself in readiness. Something's going to happen to-night when we're having a game of dice."
After the last muster at six o'clock the convicts turned their steps towards their prison almost with an air of cheerfulness. The day's work was done. The men were then locked up in their prison, which consisted of one large dormitory, and were left to do as they pleased, sleep or drink or play games, free from the presence of the guards. Chéri-Bibi, the Nut, the Parisian, the Burglar, the Caid and the Joker shared the same dormitory with some twenty other men. That evening the officer made a tour of inspection.
Standing in line in front of a double row of hammocks, they listened to his remarks. He told them that he would not allow any noise in the prison. They might consider themselves in their own homes, with doors closed, but they were there for sleeping purposes, and if any complaint was made against them, he would send the entire section to the cages in the main building.
Before leaving he asked:
"Has any man anything to bring to my notice?"
The Nut stepped forward.
"There's a rumor, monsieur, that bad news has been received from France."
"What interest can that be to you?" returned the officer harshly. "Men like you have nothing more to do with France."