And he closed the window intending to return to bed.
But Nalla had no thought of letting him alone. He repeated his sonorous appeal.
Of course under the circumstances sleep was out of the question for the magistrate. Moreover, the whole neighborhood was stirring, although it was not more than two o'clock of the morning.
Although very angry at first, on second thoughts the old gentleman, so rudely disturbed, began to say to himself:
"After all there may be something amiss, or why has that big brute come here? It can only be to seek me out, and obtain my assistance? I must investigate at once."
So with a certain amount of grumbling he dressed himself, and went down, opening the front door very carefully.
As soon as Nalla saw him he ceased trumpeting, waved his trunk in joyful greeting, and, wheeling around, set off for the prison, the magistrate following meekly in his rear, and marveling at the sagacity displayed by this remarkable creature.
On their arrival they found the gendarmes gathered before the door, having been summoned by the startled neighbors. "Open the door immediately," commanded the magistrate.
The brigadier, who carried a lantern, unlocked the door, and led the way into the prison, while the other gendarmes remained outside, preserving a respectful distance from Nalla, who stood as close as possible to the door, listening intently for every sound.