"Certainly. The priest was a disgrace to the cloth," said Beauchamp. "So he is Benedetto's companion. A worthy pair."
"I thought so, too," continued Gratillet, laughing. "Suddenly the rat sprang from the arm of its master on to that of the ex-priest, and rubbing its pointed nose on his sleeve it fawned about him.
"'Oh, what a beautiful animal!' exclaimed Anselmo; 'present it to me.'
"'I would be a fool,' replied the hunchback, gruffly. 'I sell my animals, but I never give them away.'
"'But I have no money.'
"'You have a nice ring on your finger, give it to me and you can have my rat.'
"Now I am ready to swear to it," said Gratillet, solemnly, "that Anselmo had no ring on his finger before, whereas he had one now. He looked at the jailer and said: 'In case it is allowed, I should like to exchange my ring for the rat.'
"The jailer made no objection to this. The hunchback claimed that his rat was a wonderful animal, and he would show the tricks it could do. The rat sprang through little paper balloons, nodded and shook its head, just as it was asked, and finally crawled up Anselmo's sleeve. The prisoners were enthusiastic in their praises. Anselmo and the hunchback whispered softly together; finally, the jailer put a stop to the thing by shutting the gate and driving the prisoners back.
"'One word more,' exclaimed Anselmo, 'I do not know the name of my rat!'
"'The animal is called "Rat King,"' said the hunchback, putting his head once more through the door.