“Scoundrel!” he exclaimed, while the menacing knife pressed against his throat; “what does this mean?”
For answer, Franz shot a glance toward the two elder Francoises, and said in a hoarse, unnatural whisper:
“Deek the cove;[1] he’s no dark lantern!”
[1] Look at him.
“Eh!” from Papa, in a frightened gasp.
“Done!” from Mamma, in an angry hiss.
And then, as the two started forward, Vernet, realizing that this shrewd ruffian had somehow penetrated his disguise, gathered all his strength and began a fierce struggle for liberty.
As they writhed together upon the floor, Franz shot out another sentence, this time without turning his head.
“A dead act,” he hissed; “we’re copped to rights!”
Which, being rendered into English, meant: “Combine the attack; we are in danger of arrest.”