"I did, I know I did!" persisted Eric. "There it is again: that is he! O, Uncle John, go out and tell him about it." His uncle left them, and before long returned, actually bringing Mr. Lacelle with him. The diver was surprised beyond measure to find his favorite Eric in Strasbourg, and highly indignant at the circumstance which detained him. "You are the most honest boy that ever lived," he cried, and told Mr. Van Rasseulger about the box of sovereigns. "But come, tell me all about this," he added. Eric again related the incident, beginning with his discovery of Froll's disappearance, and ending with the charge of theft and threat of prison. Johnny, who despite his dislike of Frenchmen in general, cordially liked Mr. Lacelle, was surprised to see his gradually increasing excitement as Eric's story progressed. At its termination, he started to his feet, and rapidly pacing the floor, exclaimed, joyfully,-- "_Ha! a bon chat, bon rat!_"[2] "What have cats and rats to do with it?" thought Eric. "He is crazy!" thought Johnny. "Ah!" thought Mr. Van Rasseulger, "can he see through the millstone?" "Eric, your good name shall be cleared of all suspicion. Give me your hand!" exclaimed Mr. Lacelle. "I congratulate you, lad! I know who did the mischief." "Do you?" exclaimed the astonished boy. "Yes, my friend," answered the Frenchman, and darted from the room. "Here's a go!" cried Johnny, thrusting his hands into his pockets and striking an attitude; "he knows, and he hasn't told us what he knows, and I think _his_ nose ought to be pulled." "Do be still, Johnny," said Eric, "it's no time for jokes. Uncle John, what could he have meant?" "I am totally in the dark," replied his uncle. "I wish Froll would come back," murmured Johnny. "I have it!" cried Eric, suddenly, rushing from the room, by the guard at the door, and after Mr. Lacelle. "Well," said Johnny, "I wish I had!" Count D'Orsay's conscience was not quite easy in regard to the manner in which he had persecuted the two friendless American boys. His suspicions had been aroused merely by the fact that they were about to leave Strasbourg; and the discovery of the missing articles in their possession had seemed at the time to prove their guilt conclusively. But upon reflection, the honest surprise expressed in little Johnny's eyes, and Eric's look of proud, indignant disdain, haunted him with suggestions of their innocence. Might it not have been just possible that they did find the ring upon the floor, and did not know of the money's concealment? But, then--how could it be so? How could the ring and money have happened in their room, and for what purposes? Yet, again, if they did intend to steal, they had given up everything. He had lost nothing; and the French government would not thank him for quarrelling with an American just at that time. He would send word to the landlord to dismiss the policeman and let the boys have their liberty.