“It would be a devilish small thing if they left it!� retorted M. de Baudri, with a grim smile. “Look, you little beast, no trifling—these heretics have escaped. Have you seen them?�
The cobbler assumed an air of importance.
“My life is valuable to me, monsieur,� he said, “and if I tell, the Camisards may kill me, as they kill the curés; nevertheless, for the sake of my soul— Monsieur, will the Intendant pay?�
“Diable!� shouted de Baudri; “pay! I can pay if I choose, but I’ll shoot you if you trifle.�
“I will guide you, monsieur,� the cobbler replied, with a stubborn air, “but I will have pay for the risk,—a hundred crowns.�
De Baudri burst out with a volley of oaths, but he flung some money at the hunchback.
“There is some, beast,� he said coarsely; “and you shall have the rest if you find the girl,—Rosaline de St Cyr.�
The cobbler gathered up the money and counted it with greedy fingers, M. de Baudri watching him with scornful eyes.
“You promise the rest, monsieur?� le Bossu persisted, with a shrewd look.
“Dame!� retorted the other; “you’ll get it and hell too, if you don’t make haste. Where are these women?�