“Bibi is cunning. He has come here to see what he can find—and there is no generosity to be expected from Bibi. We must not betray what we are doing. When he has driven off in that cart of his, then we can work like slaves.”
“There will be a moon to-night,” said Brent; “I shall work all night. We must store the sheeting in one of those rooms, and I will get two doors and some shutters fitted at the first chance.”
Manon held up a hand.
“Listen!”
They heard a man’s boots clanking on the pavé.
“I knew he would come here.”
Monsieur Louis Blanc did not stop outside the Café de la Victoire. He strolled past it with the detached and casual air of a holiday-maker, nodding at Manon who stood at the window.
“Even if you have no wine, madame—they tell me there is plenty of good water in the well.”
“Yes, there is plenty of water.”
He paused for a second—his hands in his pockets, his eyes considering the house.