"But you are dying without cause—without reason," Belinda declared. "You did not kill the orderly. You were not in the ward last night."
"Sst! That was that sly Monsieur Renaud. You saw him dive under the porch as you came out of the ward last evening, Mademoiselle."
"But they must know at the guardhouse that you were not out of doors."
"Ah! they are sleepyheads, les Boches. Only one knows I was in all night—and him I have bribed."
"That Renaud deliberately imitated your step," she said with warmth.
Erard laughed.
"Ah! he is a knowing one. To think he should mock me so well—me, who have so often mocked him for the laughter of my comrades.
"For know you, Mademoiselle, Rabbit-mouth is not so lightly considered in Paris—among certain people, including the police. Ma foi, no!
"I have gained power by cunning—by shrewdness. Indeed, it was the only way. Otherwise I would have been crushed—trampled upon long ago. You see," he continued quite simply, "I was born to the dregs of life. The first I can remember was of being driven out upon the streets to beg by an old woman who had found me somewhere—devil knows where!
"My infirmity of the lip she thought would arouse the sympathy of those from whom I begged. But it aroused their laughter. Ah, ma foi, yes! I was meant to be a great comedian," and he shrugged his shoulders. "I can always make people laugh.