It may be asked how Ben had so much money. It may be explained that he was about to send a remittance home, having received a payment from Major Grafton, but his unexpected arrival at the refuge had prevented him. He had with him two hundred francs, or about forty dollars in gold.
Something happened on the third day which worked favorably for Ben's hopes of securing the active assistance of Francois. About dusk a boy appeared at the gate of the asylum, and asked to see Francois.
When the two were brought together, he said:
"I came from your wife. She wishes you to come home. The child—little Marie—is very sick."
Poor Francois was much disturbed. In a little cottage five miles away lived his wife and his only child, Marie. The poor fellow was deeply attached to his child, for it must be remembered that the poor and simple-minded are quite as apt to have as strong affections as the richer and more favored.
"Is she very bad, Jean?" he asked, quite pale.
"Yes," answered Jean. "I think she is out of her head. She keeps moaning. Her poor mother is very much frightened."
"I will ask if I can come," said Francois, and he straightway sought out the doctor.
"I would like to speak to you, M. Bourdon," he said.