There was a moment’s silence as they watched the two climb up on the coach. Grigge turned and spoke to them again. “You are to stay here until I come,” he said.
“We trust you, Grigge.” It was Cécile who spoke, her lovely face very white in the starlight.
They called their thanks after the coach driver. Champar’s cross-eye leered at them over his shoulder. He waved his hand.
“Keep to yourselves, and keep an eye on that fat boy or he will give you all away!” he called.
Chapter XXIII
IN GREAT-AUNT HORTENSE’S HOUSE
“Was it while the bakery man was saying that he would make you cry that you heard the noise first, or just before?”
“Lisle said it was while the man was speaking that he heard the noise first. You’re so excited, Marie Josephine, you don’t listen to anything.” As she spoke, Rosanne took a sip of the tea which Humphrey had just brewed for them. “It’s so bitter, Humphrey,” she said to him over her shoulder.
The two girls sat on each side of Lisle on the chest. It was the next day after they had come to the cellar, and to Rosanne it was most bewildering to be there in the dusk of the old place with her dear Marie Josephine by her side.
Humphrey came up to them with a steaming jug.