CHAPTER XXXI.
FLAMES.
It was past midnight when the muffled figures of Papa and Mamma Francoise emerged stealthily from the tenement house, and took their way toward the river. Now and then they looked anxiously back, and constantly kept watch to the right and left.
“Franz and Nance, poor Nance, going—whither?”—[page 230].
A little way behind them, two other figures followed; the man half supporting, half dragging, a reeling, stupefied girl, and urging her along by alternate coaxing and threats.
Franz and Nance, poor Nance, going—whither?
Keeping the same path, and always the same brief space between them, the four moved onward until they were almost at the river. Then, in obedience to a low whistle, Papa and Mamma turned, passed the other two, and retraced their steps swiftly and silently.
When they had gone by, Franz Francoise turned and looked after them until their figures had vanished in the darkness.