"He has unfastened the buckle," Montparnasse replied.
And he hurriedly told the boy that on that very morning Babet, while being removed to the Conciergerie, escaped by turning to the left instead of the right in the "police-office passage."
Gavroche admired his skill.
"What a dentist!" said he.
Montparnasse added a few details about Babet's escape, and ended with, "Oh, that is not all."
Gavroche, while talking, had seized a cane which Montparnasse held in his hand; he mechanically pulled at the upper part, and a dagger blade became visible.
"Ah!" he said as he quickly thrust it back, "you have brought your gendarme with you disguised as a civilian."
Montparnasse winked.
"The deuce!" Gavroche continued, "are you going to have a turn-up with the slops?"
"There's no knowing," Montparnasse answered carelessly; "it's always as well to have a pin about you."