"The mousetrap is open, and the cats are here."
He again lowered his voice and said,—
"Put this in the fire."
Marius heard a clicking of coals stirred with pincers or some iron tool, and Jondrette ask,—
"Have you tallowed the hinges of the door, so that they may make no noise?"
"Yes," the mother answered.
"What o'clock is it?"
"Close on six. It has struck the half-hour at St. Médard."
"Hang it!" said Jondrette, "the girls must go on the watch. Come here and listen to me."
There was a whispering, and then Jondrette's voice was again uplifted.