[CHAPTER XXIII]
HERO AND OUTLAW
The Nut at length managed to release himself from the trap in which he had been caught. He turned to Chéri-Bibi and could not repress a muffled exclamation when he heard Chéri-Bibi say that he had broken his leg.
"Now make tracks while there's time," Chéri-Bibi whispered. "You have less than five minutes if you want to get away from here. Never mind me. I can't move my leg. Listen: Go past the rag-and-bone shop at the back of the courtyard on the right. No one is there. Slip up the stairs on the right; the others took the one on the left. When you get to the attics, scoot along the roofs till you come to the corner of the little square. Get down as best you can. You'll find a car waiting there, in charge of your friend Hilaire. He won't be surprised to see you. He expects us. Good luck!"
The Nut stooped and put his arms round Chéri-Bibi. He lifted him by a powerful effort.
"What are you doing?" asked the other, who was tying a handkerchief round his bleeding hand.
"I'm going to carry you," said the Nut simply. "You don't suppose I'm going to leave you here."
"Oh, damn it, you'll jolly well do nothing of the sort. I'm done for. I tell you my leg's broken. You can't think of carrying me as if I were a doll. You don't know my weight. Besides, you must clear off—do a guy. The police will come back. You'll get nabbed, and you won't save me. A lot of good that will do you!"
"Listen, Chéri-Bibi, you killed the Caid. They're hunting for his murderer. You can't escape the guillotine this time. I won't leave you here."
He went down on his knees, took Chéri-Bibi by the arms, and hoisted him on his shoulders.