"But, _Monsieur le Docteur_, do you understand that my child--my little Marie--is very sick? She moans, and is out of her head, and I may never see her again, if I don't go." "Plague take your little Marie!" said M. Bourdon, brutally. "What have I to do with her? I want you to stay here. You know very well that you can't be spared." "But," protested Francois, indignantly, "do you think because I am poor that I have no feeling? You are very much mistaken. I cannot stay away and let poor Marie die without seeing her." "You can't go, at all events," said M. Bourdon, roughly. "I cannot go?" "No; or, if you do, you will lose your place. I cannot have my men going away on every silly pretext. I don't believe your child is sick at all." "But Jean Gault is below. He has brought word from my wife." "I dare say it is all planned between you." "Then you will not let me go?" "No, I won't. If you go, you lose your place. I shall not take you back. Do you understand?" "Yes, I understand," said Francois, slowly. "Then you can go. We have had words enough about this." If the doctor had not been irritated he would have been careful how he dealt with Francois, who was the most valuable man in his employ. But when we are irritated we lose sight of what is politic, and are apt to make grievous mistakes, as M. Bourdon certainly did on this occasion. Francois sought out little Jean. "Jean," he said, "go home and tell my wife that I will come some time to-night. The doctor has forbidden me to go, but I shall go, all the same. Be sure you tell no one else." "Very well, Francois," answered the boy. "Tell my wife I may be late, but I will surely come." The boy went away, and Francois went up to Ben's room. "Monsieur, I have something to say to you," he commenced. "What is it, Francois?" "You said you would give a hundred francs to any one who would get you out of this?" "Yes, Francois," answered Ben, quickly. "Have you so much money with you, then?" asked Francois, doubtfully. "See here!" and Ben took out five napoleons, which he displayed in his open palm. The attendant's eyes sparkled. "And you will give them to me, if perchance I set you free?" "Yes." "Listen, then. I would not do it, but my little Marie is very sick, and my wife wants me to come home. Perhaps she may die;" and the poor fellow suppressed a sob. "But M. Bordon--that is the doctor--he says I shall not go. He said 'Plague take your child!'" continued Francois, wrathfully. "Poor Francois," said Ben compassionately. "Ah! you feel for me, little monsieur," said Francois, gratefully. "The doctor has a heart like a stone. He says if I go I shall not come back; but I do not care, I cannot stay away. I will go, and you shall go with me. Can you walk five miles?" "I can walk ten--fifteen, if necessary," said Ben, promptly.