"And yet, to-night I feel as weak as a child."
Tears came into the eyes of Fanfar as he spoke. His nerves were thoroughly shaken by the exertions he had made to save Gudel and himself.
Bobichel here lifted himself up.
"Fanfar," he said, "let me help you!"
At these kind words uttered by this honest, faithful voice, Fanfar started. He had no right to despair, he said to himself, when he had such friends.
"You are right, Bobichel," he cried. "I have no right to talk of my energy, for I am trembling like a woman!"
"I should like to tell you what I think, sir," the clown stammered, "though I do not wish to take a liberty, but didn't you say you thought you had found your sister?"
"Oh! do not say that!"
"Yes, I must say it, and I think it would be best if you made up your mind that it was she, and acted on that supposition."
"I think you are right. I am told that this girl lives with a poor paralytic. I will go to her and question her. From her replies I shall be able to judge if chance has really put me on the track of her whom I lost so long ago. But we ought to follow these scoundrels at once!"