Jacques gave Sans-Souci one of his weapons; and he, with the pistol in one hand, and his stick in the other, rushed in the direction of the shrieks; he went up to the first floor, entered a room the door of which was broken down, and saw an old man on his knees, imploring the pity of a miscreant, while another miscreant laden with bags of money was preparing for flight. Sans-Souci discharged his pistol at Dufresne, who was on the point of striking Monsieur Gerval; the monster fell at the old man’s feet; his comrade threw down his bags and tried to escape; but Sans-Souci did not give him time; he overtook him on the stairway and dealt him such a lusty blow on the head that Lampin staggered, rolled down several stairs, struck his head against the wall, and expired, vomiting the most horrible imprecations. “You are my savior! my liberator!” cried Monsieur Gerval; while Sans-Souci relieved him of the cords that bound him. “It is true, my dear monsieur, that it was high time; but perhaps there are other brigands in your house, and I will complete my inspection.” “I will go with you, I will go with you, monsieur,” said the old man; “I will be your guide. Alas! I do not see my faithful Dupré.” At that moment they heard a pistol shot. Sans-Souci descended the stairs four at a time, and joined Jacques at the instant that he blew out the brains of one of the brigands who was trying to fly through Adeline’s room; while his comrades, being more prudent, escaped by the same road that Edouard had followed. The report of firearms, the uproar and the shrieks had awakened Catherine and Lucas; but only in obedience to their master’s voice did they dare to leave their rooms. Then they went all together, with lights, to Adeline’s room. She was just recovering her senses and was gazing with renewed surprise at Jacques, who stood by her. “My brother, my friend, have I found you too?” she said at last; “I do not know if it is a dream, but so many events have succeeded one another! Just now Edouard was with me.” “Edouard! Come to yourself, be calm, my dear Adeline, and have no fear; the brigands are punished.” Adeline made no reply but her eyes still sought her husband. “Victory!” cried Sans-Souci; “I killed two of them, for my part.” “We owe you our lives, gallant strangers,” said Monsieur Gerval, approaching Jacques; “how can I ever pay my debt to you?” “You have evidently taken care of my sister and my niece,” Jacques answered the old man, “and I am still in your debt.” “His sister! his niece!” exclaimed the good man and his servants. “First of all, let us finish inspecting the house,” said Sans-Souci; “there may be some more of the scoundrels hidden in some corner.” “But Dupré doesn’t appear! I am terribly afraid that he has fallen a victim to his zeal.” “Let us put our friends in a place of safety, and go and look!”