“I am sure I heard Mr. Lacelle’s voice,” he said.
“You couldn’t have,” said Johnny. “You left him at Amsterdam.”
“I did, I know I did!” persisted Eric. “There it is again: that is he! O, Uncle John, go out and tell him about it.”
His uncle left them, and before long returned, actually bringing Mr. Lacelle with him.
The diver was surprised beyond measure to find his favorite Eric in Strasbourg, and highly indignant at the circumstance which detained him.
“You are the most honest boy that ever lived,” he cried, and told Mr. Van Rasseulger about the box of sovereigns. “But come, tell me all about this,” he added.
Eric again related the incident, beginning with his discovery of Froll’s disappearance, and ending with the charge of theft and threat of prison.
Johnny, who despite his dislike of Frenchmen in general, cordially liked Mr. Lacelle, was surprised to see his gradually increasing excitement as Eric’s story progressed. At its termination, he started to his feet, and rapidly pacing the floor, exclaimed, joyfully,—
“Ha! a bon chat, bon rat!”[2]
“What have cats and rats to do with it?” thought Eric.