Then, under Mother Toulouche's watchful eye, Ernestine prepared what was called in that world of light-fingered gentry "the mask": a mask of cotton, which is moulded by force on the face of the victim in order to plunge him, or her, into a heavy sleep. Whilst making these sinister preparations the two women talked as they went on with their evil task. Big Ernestine said, in reply to Mother Toulouche's questionings: "Oh, it's simple enough! It's like this:... When the motor-car stops I shall go to the right-hand door and begin to beg ... likely enough, the Princess won't want to hear what I have to say, but while I attract her attention, Mimile, who will be on the other side, will open the door, and will stick the compress on her mug.... She won't struggle--besides, Mimile will have hold of her--and then I'll have had time to see where her jewels are, and how they are fastened, and then I'll soon have them in my pocket--my deep 'un!" Mother Toulouche nodded: "It's arranged all right, but how will you arrest the motor?" "Oh, that's where the others come in; they'll do it all right.... I expect they're seeing to it now!..." "But, look here," cried Mother Toulouche, "Mimile isn't in bits then? They said he had fallen from his flier!" Big Ernestine gave a laugh: "He fell right enough, poor little fellow, and from pretty high too--but he's not broken a thing ... not this time ... a bit of luck I don't think--eh?" "He's a mascot, I'm certain," declared Mother Toulouche. Then she said: "You spoke of the others?... Who are they--the others?" "But didn't they tell you?" cried the surprised Ernestine, for she thought old Mother Toulouche was in the know: "Why, there's the Beadle--and the Beard...." "Oh," cried Mother Toulouche, much impressed: "If the Beard's in it, then it's a serious affair!" "Yes," replied big Ernestine, staring hard at the old receiver of stolen goods: "It's serious all right! If the chloroform doesn't work--oh, well ... they'll bring the knife into play...." Big Ernestine looked at her little silver watch to mark the time: "Past midnight!" she remarked: "I must hurry off and see what they're up to!" As she was making off Mother Toulouche stopped her: "Have a glass of rum to start on--it puts heart into you!" The two women were quite ready for a drink together. When they had swallowed their dose, big Ernestine smacked her tongue: "Famous stuff!... It puts a heart into you and no mistake!" "Yes, it's the right stuff--the best," agreed Mother Toulouche: "It's what Nibet prefers!" she added. Then she cried: "But Nibet, how ... isn't he in it?" Big Ernestine put a finger on her lips: "Nibet's in it of course--as he always is--you know that, old Toulouche--but he's content to show the way--you know he seldom does anything himself ... besides, it seems he's on duty at the depot to-night!" Big Ernestine threw an old shawl over her head and went off crying: