“_Pardi_, yes! I was there when they brought her. It was--let me see--a week ago to-day.” “A week--and we have been looking for her three days; oh! it must be she! Is this young lady pretty?” “Lovely, and she don’t look like a country wench like the other. They made her believe that she was at a Monsieur de Monfréville’s house; then that old vagabond of a Poterne went off and found, I don’t know where, an old woman to play concierge; and they kicked me out.” “Did they call her by name before you?” “Wait a minute--I remember now that, when they arrived, Monsieur Daréna said, as he brought the girl into the house: “‘This is my friend Marquis Chérubin’s foster-sister.’” “It is she! Ah! the villains! I’ll make them give her back to me! Poor Louise! in that infamous Daréna’s hands for a week! God grant that I may arrive in time!” “Take me with you. If you appear at the door, they won’t let you in.” “I’ll break the door down.” “Oh! it’s too strong; but I promise you that I’ll find a way to make them open it.” “Come, then, come; I will double the reward I promised you, if Louise is under my protection soon.” “Ah! a fine trick! They’ll kick me out, will they? Thanks! I guess I’ll have a little revenge.--Go on, Boudin, I give you your liberty--go find a dinner.” Bruno released his dog. Chérubin hesitated a moment, uncertain whether he should inform Monfréville of his discovery; but every instant’s delay made him more and more fearful that Louise would fall a victim to some plot, and he felt that he had sufficient resolution and courage to rescue her, single-handed, from the dangers that threatened her. He took a cab with Bruno, and was driven first to his house, which was not far away; he took a pair of pistols, determined to make use of them, if necessary to rescue Louise; then, without a word to any of his people, he returned to the cab, which conveyed him and Bruno to Barrière de la Chopinette. It was dark when they reached the outer boulevard. Chérubin quivered with impatience, rage, and fear of not finding Louise. Little Bruno, who thought of everything, said to him: “Have the cab stop before we’re very near the house. If they should hear it, it would put them on their guard.” Chérubin realized the wisdom of that advice; he alighted with Bruno, ordered the driver to wait for him, and walked toward the house with his little companion. The shutters were closed on the ground floor and first floor; but through the poorly joined boards it was easy to see that there were lights on both floors. “There’s somebody there!” said Chérubin, his heart beating violently. “Yes. Now is when we need to be cunning, in order to get in. Wait, and don’t breathe. Have your pistols all ready to frighten them when the door is open. You’ll see how I pull the wool over their eyes.” And Bruno knocked on the door, beginning at the same time to whistle and hum his favorite tune: _Tu tu tu tu r’lu tu tu tu_.