At this point in the conversation, it occurred to me that a good loud scream for help might be introduced with singular appropriateness; and I proceeded to put my idea into execution. César, however, was of a different opinion, and evidently considered the interruption an untimely one; for no sooner did I uplift my voice, than he aimed his gun at me, exclaiming savagely, "Silence at once, or I'll kill you!" I had no option about obeying this order, because just at that moment, Napoleon--who was hastening up in obedience to his companion's summons--came through the bushes behind where I stood, and clapped his hand roughly over my mouth. César grinned mockingly when he saw me thus reduced to silence, and lowered his gun again. "That was an atrocious noise!" he remarked. "Permit me to inform you, madame--first, that screams cannot assist you, since there is no one but us within hearing; secondly, that my friend and myself have inconceivably tender hearts and sensitive nerves. Consequently we cannot endure the least sound of distress; and if you should utter another cry in our presence, we should be compelled, most reluctantly, to cut your throat in order to spare the exquisite sensibility of our natures. And having given you this caution, let us return to the more pleasing subject of the little _souvenirs_ which you generous ladies are going to bestow upon us. Will you like us to save you trouble by helping ourselves to them?" Kitty was as composed as though she had been seated in her father's drawing-room in Eaton Square, and now said to me in English: "I'm afraid he's right about there being no one in hearing to help us, Jill, so it's no good screaming. As resistance is useless, we may as well give up our purses and trinkets quietly." Then she continued in French, replying to what the man had said last: "No--you need not help yourselves. We will hand over to you all we have." Accordingly we pulled out our money, and took off the few things of any value we happened to be wearing--such as watches, chains, and collar and sleeve studs. These, however, were worth but little, all put together. People do not take valuable jewellery with them on a rough driving-tour; and as Mrs. Rollin was our treasurer, Kitty and I had barely ten francs between us in our purses. The two robbers, therefore, who had been reckoning confidently on making a large haul, were greatly dissatisfied and disappointed at the insignificance of the booty they had secured. "This won't do _at all_," grumbled César; "the idea of capturing a couple of the rich English, and then not getting more than _this_ out of them! It is ridiculous! Let us see what is to be done--only first they must be kept from running away." And then, after making fast our hands and feet, they drew a few steps aside, and proceeded to confer together in a low voice.