"What then?"
"The lieutenant is stooping towards the launch."
"Ah, there you are," said Chéri-Bibi. "Well, what else?"
"The engineer is standing on the deck-house and has handed him something which he is putting in his pocket."
"Stop! You've seen enough and now have a look at this."
Chéri-Bibi pointed to the piece of wood upon which he was no longer working.
"This is an exact copy of the thing that the inspecting officer put in his pocket. Do you know what that thing is? It is an indispensable part of the motor, and without it the engine won't go. When he has it in his pocket he is easy in his mind. There's no hope of the convicts making use of the launch. When I went on fatigue duty to St. Laurent I had the opportunity of examining that part. I assure you that this one is the fellow to it, and if anything is missing, I'll make it this evening."
"This evening!" exclaimed the Nut.
"Yes, old man, you shall be free this evening, I give you my word. I've finished digging a hole in my hut. We shall see some fun this evening. Look out! . . . Warders coming. They're sounding the fall in."
The two men sprang up. The Nut was behind Chéri-Bibi, quivering with a new hope. They went off to line up with the other men of their section in a sunk road which was dominated by a government office. It was here that they were employed in laying out a new road across the island.