Bibi-Lupin dared not say a word for fear of being recognized.
“Say something to show me that you are he; you have nothing but his voice,” said Theodore.
“You see, poor boy, he assures me that he is innocent,” said Jacques Collin to Bibi-Lupin, who dared not speak for fear of being recognized.
“Sempre mi,” said Jacques, returning close to Theodore, and speaking the word in his ear.
“Sempre ti,” replied Theodore, giving the countersign. “Yes, you are the boss——”
“Did you do the trick?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me the whole story, that I may see what can be done to save you; make haste, Jack Ketch is waiting.”
The Corsican at once knelt down and pretended to be about to confess.
Bibi-Lupin did not know what to do, for the conversation was so rapid that it hardly took as much time as it does to read it. Theodore hastily told all the details of the crime, of which Jacques Collin knew nothing.