"Alas!"
"Then why are you still prowling in this vicinity? Do you want to be killed?"
A suppressed howl escaped the bandaged ruffian.
"I do not desire to go away from M'sieu'! No! I desire to remain under his powerful protection——"
"What!"
"I desire to serve M'sieu'—to dedicate my life to the service of M'sieu', my patron, powerful and terrible. I have need to render him homage—I, Asticot, grateful and affectionate——" He blubbered sentimentally, squirming like a kicked and abject dog.
Warner, astonished, stared at the writhing ruffian for a few moments, then he burst into a laugh.
"Why, you Parisian sewer rat," he said, "do you imagine that I could have any use for you?"
"M'sieu'! I ask as wages only a crust, a pallet of straw in some corner, and a few pennies which will enable me to 'fry a cigarette' when I am lonely——"
"I don't want you!" repeated Warner, disgusted, but much amused. "Why do you imagine that I have any employment to offer a cutthroat?"