The landlord then ordered a servant to close all the windows in the front of the hotel, excepting those of Count D’Orsay, whose room was above that of the two boys.
Eric hastened, at his request, for Froll’s collar and chain, which were fastened upon her, and then she was released upon the balcony under the window of the boy’s room, the landlord, Eric, Johnny, and Mr. Van Rasseulger watching her movements with intense interest.
Meanwhile the count and Mr. Lacelle were stationed behind the window curtains, on the lookout for the marauder.
Presently there was a sliding, scrambling, shuffling noise, and the thief came in through the window—not Eric, nor Johnny, but a being very insufficiently attired, and possessed of a long black tail; no less a personage than the little monkey, Froll.
She walked straight to the table, climbed upon it, seized the ring, purse, and a gold pencil which Mr. Lacelle had laid there. Then she withdrew to the window, but to her rage and disappointment it was shut tight, and the two gentlemen confronted her.
The little beast recognized Mr. Lacelle, and coolly handed him her stolen freight, which was quickly restored to its rightful owner.
Thoroughly convinced of his unjust cruelty to Eric and Johnny, Count D’Orsay descended to the balcony, offering sincere and earnest apologies.
Eric and Johnny, by turns hugging and scolding Froll, freely forgave the indignity put upon them, and shook hands cordially with the mortified count.
Mr. Lacelle was in his glory. He shook hands with the monkey, stroked the boys’ heads, and called Mr. Van Rasseulger “my dear” in his excitement; telling everybody how he had instantly surmised the true offender, on hearing of Froll’s disappearance, and recalling the scene at Gravenhaag, when she had stolen his glasses, climbing in then through the open window. Finally he expressed an opinion that Froll had formerly belonged to an unprincipled master, who had trained her to climb in at windows and take away valuables.
And here we will take an opportunity to remark that this was really the case, and that Eric subsequently learned that the man of whom Mr. Nichols bought her was arrested and imprisoned for practising with another monkey the same trick.