The Sapper became very interested in the conversation. Meanwhile Nonet, as he crossed the tap-room, had stopped a few moments before a pretty girl who was evidently expecting some one. "Waiting again for the Square, eh, Josephine?" Nonet inquired. The girl, whose big blue eyes contrasted strikingly with her jet black hair, replied: "Why not? Loupart doesn't think of quitting me that I know of." "Well, when he does let me know," Nonet suggested smilingly. Josephine shrugged her shoulders contemptuously, and, glancing at the clock above the bar, rose suddenly and left the tap-room. She went rapidly down the Rue Charbonnière and along the boulevard, in the direction of the Barbès Metropolitan Station. On reaching the level of the Boulevard Magenta, she slackened and walked along the right-hand pavement toward the centre of Paris. "My little Jojo!" The girl who, after leaving the tavern, had assumed a quiet and modest air, now came face to face with a stout gentleman with a jovial face and one gleaming eye, the other eye being permanently closed. He wore a beard turning grey and his derby hat and light cane placed him as belonging to the middle class. "How late you are, my adored Jojo," he murmured tenderly. "That accursed workshop been keeping you again after hours?" The mistress of Loupart checked a smile. "That's it!" she replied, "the workshop, M. Martialle." The man addressed made a warning gesture. "Don't mention my name here; I'm almost home." He pulled out his watch. "Too bad; I'll have to go in or my wife will kick up a row. Let's see, this is Tuesday; well, Saturday I'm off to Burgundy on my usual half-monthly trip. Meet me at the Lyons station, platform No. 2, Marseilles express. We won't be back till Monday. A delightful week-end of love-making with my darling who at last consents.... What's that!" The stout man broke off his impassioned harangue. A beggar, emerging from the darkness, importuned him: "Have pity on me, kind sir." "Give him something," urged Josephine. The middle-aged lover complied and tenderly drew away the pretty girl, repeating carefully the details of the assignation: "Lyons Station; a quarter past eight. The train leaves at twenty to nine." Then suddenly dropping Josephine's arm: "Now, sweetheart, you'd better hurry home to your good mother, and remember Saturday." The outline of the portly personage faded into the night. Loupart's mistress shrugged her shoulders, turned, and made her way back to the "Tryst," where her place had been kept for her. At the back of the tavern, the group which Nonet had joined were discussing strange doings. "The Bear," head of the band of the Cyphers, had just returned from the courthouse. He brought the latest news. Riboneau had been given ten years, but was going to try for a reduced sentence.