"But I am not in orders—a secular, a reader, a poor companion. Oh, let me go and I will do you no harm. I have some money—eighty-five florins—at my lodgings; let me but go and bring it."
"And betray us all!" screamed Wife Gougeon. "No, Monsieur Abbé. When you go from here it will not be to sing."
"Monsieur will doubtless sign an order for us to draw this sum," said the Admiral most suavely.
"Immediately on my release," gasped the Abbé.
"It is more just that we should have the money first."
"But I am dying of fear. I have no courage. Listen, listen, I pray of you good people. I shall give you all I have and fly from you for ever as far as I can."
"Unbind his right hand," commanded the leader. "Is there any paper here?"
"His own book. I took it from his pocket," said Wife Gougeon, handing over a note-book.
The Admiral pounced upon it. The first entry he read aloud was headed "Hache—ex-convict," succeeded by a description; following it were memoranda concerning several others of the gang; further on, the number and street of the shop, and at length an entry: "The Admiral, an individual of Brittany, who seems to have some connection with these people."
"Oho!" he cried, "Monsieur Abbé, what do you say to this?"