“Idiot! there are seals on everything,” replied Jacques Collin. “In a few days the inventory will be taken, and you will be innocent of the theft.”
“Good for the boss!” cried Paccard. “That is really kind!”
“Stop, coachman!” cried Jacques Collin’s powerful voice.
The coach was close to the stand by the Jardin des Plantes.
“Be off, young ‘uns,” said Jacques Collin, “and do nothing silly! Be on the Pont des Arts this afternoon at five, and my aunt will let you know if there are any orders to the contrary.—We must be prepared for everything,” he whispered to his aunt. “To-morrow,” he went on, “Jacqueline will tell you how to dig up the gold without any risk. It is a ticklish job——”
Paccard and Prudence jumped out on to the King’s highway, as happy as reprieved thieves.
“What a good fellow the boss is!” said Paccard.
“He would be the king of men if he were not so rough on women.”
“Oh, yes! He is a sweet creature,” said Paccard. “Did you see how he kicked me? Well, we deserved to be sent to old Nick; for, after all, we got him into this scrape.”
“If only he does not drag us into some dirty job, and get us packed off to the hulks yet,” said the wily Prudence.