"Perhaps he will. However, I will go a long distance, if need be; but I will find that man!"
"In that case," said La Valteline, "we will go with you; we will not allow you to run such a risk alone."
"No, messieurs, I beg you, do not come with me; you will make success impossible. If the robber can be surprised, it must be done by cunning. He would hear the footsteps of several people, and that would put him on his guard. Once more, I say, let me make the attempt alone. One man against one man—that is enough; and if I meet my death in this undertaking, do not pity me; at this moment I care very little for life!"
When he had finished speaking, Léodgard ran across the Pont-aux-Choux and disappeared in the darkness.
"Léodgard! Léodgard!" called Beausseilly; "we will wait for you here; we will not move until you return.—I don't know if he heard me."
"What the devil ever put that idea into his head?"
"There is no sense in what he has undertaken to do," said Montrevert; "judging from the address and agility that this Giovanni shows in his attacks, it is inconceivable that he should allow himself to be taken by surprise."
"I agree with you; but Léodgard is intensely excited! He has gambled away all that he possessed—even more. Life has little attraction for him at this moment! Faith! if he meets Giovanni, I fancy that the villain will not come off so cheaply."
"Pardieu!" said Sénange, half rising; "you remind me that the handsome cloak which the count is wearing is my property now, as I won it from him a moment ago at dice. I ought not to have let him go off with it!"
"Ah! Sénange, you are a very pitiless creditor!"