“Too much emotion!� repeated the other. “Dieu! you seem an honest man—shall I tell you who that dead woman was?� he asked recklessly. “Are you a Catholic?�
“I am,� replied the cobbler, quietly; “’tis best to tell me nothing.�
His visitor stared at him.
“Why did you try to protect me, then?� he asked. “I am a desperate man and unknown to you—I have no money to reward kindness.�
“Nor to pay for a lodging,� remarked the hunchback.
The other thrust his hand into his pocket and drew out half a crown, looking at it with a grim smile.
“My worldly goods,� he said.
“I thought so,� rejoined the cobbler, dryly, “and you paid the other half-crown to see the dead Huguenot woman.�
An expression of pain passed over the face opposite.
“I would have paid more to be sure that it was—� He broke off, covering his face with his hands. “Oh, mon Dieu!� he exclaimed brokenly.