It was drawing near to midnight. The market-place was wrapped in darkness and silence. The Tamby family children inside the van were dreaming pleasantly of fresh successes, while close by Nalla and Steady dozed comfortably after the labors of the day, and the excitement of the evening.
The gendarme, whose duty it was to patrol the market-place, and who had been one of the most appreciative spectators of the performance, after making a few turns of the square, and assuring himself that things were all right, sat down upon some hay in a corner, and before he knew what he was about fell fast asleep.
A few minutes later two dark forms glided stealthily out from an alley, and crept towards the Tambys' van. That their presence meant no good, the method of their approach clearly indicated, but who were they, and upon what mischief were they bent?
To answer this question it must be explained that in the town was an academy which had many pupils, and of these a number had attended the performance. On their return to the academy they got into a lively discussion about the animals, and Nalla, of course, was the chief subject.
One of the elder boys, who really was well informed for his age, and liked to make a show of his learning, asserted that in spite of their size elephants were great cowards, and were terrified at the sight of a mouse.
The other boys laughed at this statement.
"A great big elephant afraid of a tiny mouse!" they cried. "Fudge! you don't know what you're talking about!"
This angered Raoul, and the controversy waxed warm until finally, carried away by excitement, he shouted:
"Look here now, fellows, I do know what I'm talking about, and if any of you will get me a mouse I'll prove it."
A chorus of derisive laughter greeted this challenge, which angered Raoul still more, and he fairly screamed out: