II
Saturday was the fashionable night at the Cirque Parisien, and the night when Jules usually attended it. This was Tuesday, however, and Jules decided not to be fashionable, but simply to amuse himself. As he approached the letters of light that flashed the name of the Cirque into the eyes of the boulevardiers, he suddenly remembered that he had promised to meet two of his comrades of the wool-house in the evening. He turned into the rue Taitbout, and as he was walking slowly through the long passageway leading into one of the large apartment-houses there, he felt himself suddenly seized in the darkness by two pairs of hands. He looked quickly around, and dimly recognized Dufresne and Leroux, who had come up from behind him. They were both types, short and swarthy, with oily faces, thick black moustaches, and pointed beards.
"Why didn't you come before?" and "We've been waiting an hour," they cried together.
"He's been up to some adventure, I'll wager," said Leroux.
"Answer! The truth! No lies!" Dufresne exclaimed, shaking him by one shoulder.
Jules pulled away with an effort.
"I thought you were going to rob me!" he laughed.
"You see, he doesn't answer," said Dufresne. "I told you he was up to some adventure."
"Up to some adventure!" Jules repeated. "I've just been taking dinner, and I forgot I'd promised to meet you to-night. Where are you going?"
"We're going to the Folies Bergères, and then to a masked ball in Montmartre," Leroux answered, resuming his grip. "Come along."