"Velletri? The Italian spy? The tool of the Jesuits, who treacherously betrayed his own countrymen, the Carbonari?" asked Fanfaro, contemptuously.
"Really, you are telling me something new," replied Arthur, "but it served me right. Why wasn't I more particular in the choice of my companions! Well, this worthy pair have abducted a young girl, a street-singer."
"The scoundrels! Where have they carried the poor child to?"
"God alone knows! I only heard here about the plan, but the scoundrels did not inform me where they intended to bring the poor child," replied Arthur, feeling ashamed at having had even the slightest connection with the affair, and inwardly vowing never again to have anything to do with the scoundrels who bear noble names.
"But the girl, no doubt, has relatives, parents or friends, who will follow her traces?"
"No," replied Aube, "she is an orphan, and is called the 'Marquise.'"
"Why has she received that sobriquet?"
"I do not know. She is a very respectable girl."
"Where does she live?"
"Not far from here, No. 42 Boulevard du Temple, fifth story. Robeckal, an extra waiter, who, as I have since found out, is a cunning scoundrel, had engaged her for to-night."