“Well, he must help us too, the old Crœsus!” “He must have much money here; I know that he received remittances from his farmers a week ago. All that money must be in his room; we can easily get in there, take possession of the treasure, and escape through the mad woman’s room; for the gate is very strong, and very securely fastened, and we should have much difficulty in forcing it.” “Very good! But I saw bars at the ground floor window looking on the woods. Is that the way that you propose to take us out, my most honored father?” “You idiot! Do you suppose that I haven’t thought of everything? Our comrades have orders to file the bars, and I told them that they could work without fear, as the woman who occupies the room would watch them without saying a word.” “Bravo! That is a most excellent idea; isn’t it, Edouard? Speak up, you infernal dreamer!” “Yes, yes, the plan is well devised.” “It is very lucky that it pleases you! If only that old steward who looked askance at us doesn’t disturb our arrangements.” “Woe to him, if he should dare!--We will let our comrades in; then we shall be in force; and those who make trouble for us will soon be reduced to silence!” “That’s the talk! strong measures.” “Luckily I was moderate at table; if I had imitated you, Lampin, we should have betrayed ourselves.” “What the devil! you played the old man so well that I nearly choked with laughter. But if I did drink, it only increased my courage; there is gold to be got here, and that gives me nerve, my colleagues. Let’s see, how do we distribute our functions?” “We will let our friends in, in a few moments; we must give these old men time to get to sleep. We will leave Edouard on guard with the mad woman, to see that she doesn’t lock the door of her room in a fit of delirium; for that would cut off our retreat. Our comrades will stand guard, one over the gardener, the other over the cook; and you, Lampin, will go with me in search of the money.” “That’s well arranged; this good fellow cannot complain of having a too dangerous post; to stay with a woman and a child, both asleep! What prowess!” “Very true, but they mustn’t wake; if they should make the slightest sound--remember, Edouard, that our safety, our lives, are at stake.” “All right, I understand.” “And so do I,” said Dupré to himself, noiselessly withdrawing his head; “I know enough;--the villains! I was not mistaken! We have given hospitality to brigands! O my God! inspire me, so that I may save my master and that poor woman!”