"That is why I said just now that the Chevalier Passedix did not resemble him at all!" said Montrevert. "Not that you can see his face, which is all hidden by his beard, but you can distinguish his eyes, which are very black and very bright, and his nose, which is long and sharp."
"Well! all that resembles me, I should say!"
"But he is a long way from having a figure like yours—he is not even so tall as Léodgard; he is very active, and seems to be powerfully built and quite young."
"I see no great difference from your humble servant."
"For some time past, we have heard nothing of people being attacked by this robber," said the little old man; "it would seem that he is reposing, or that he has left Paris."
"No, indeed!" said La Valteline; "but the shrewd rascal always awaits a good opportunity before acting; he does not steal for trifles! No, no! he is a fellow who selects his victims.—Not more than fifteen days, that is to say, fifteen nights ago, the wealthy Destaillis, receiver of the salt tax, was robbed by him as he left a gambling house in which he had broken the bank!"
"Sandis! if I were lieutenant of police, I would be ashamed of not having captured this Giovanni yet!"
"It seems that he has retreats, hiding places, in every quarter; he throws off the track all the bloodhounds that are set on him."
"Patience, messieurs," said the little hunchback; "I have been assured that the Cardinal de Richelieu said lately that he proposed to turn his attention to that villain! And if his eminence takes a hand in it, Giovanni will be caught."
"But what is this commotion in the gallery?—Ah! messieurs, this time it is really the cardinal; he is going to pass through here."