"They do not make them now; the shop is shut up. As you see it, that bit of jewelry has a very great antiquity,--three generations. I value it highly, for it is a family loom," added he, with a hideous grin; "and that's why I gave it to Finette, that she might have good fortune in the enterprises in which she so skilfully seconds me. Only see her at work! only see her! If we go into 'business' together, why--But let us now to our affair in hand. You say that in the Allée des Veuves--" "At No. 17 there is a house inhabited by a rich man, whose name is--" "I will not be guilty of the indiscretion of asking his name. You say there are sixty thousand francs in gold in a cabinet?" "Sixty thousand francs in gold!" exclaimed the Chouette. Rodolph nodded his head in the affirmative. "And you know this house, and the people in it?" said the Schoolmaster. "Quite well." "Is the entry difficult?" "A wall seven feet high on the side of the Allée des Veuves, a garden, windows down to the ground, and the house has only the ground floor throughout." "And there is only the porter to guard this treasure?" "Yes." "And what, young man, is your proposed plan of proceeding?" "Simple enough: to climb over the wall, pick the lock of the door, or force open a shutter or lock. What do you think of it?" "I cannot answer you before I have examined it all myself,--that is, by the aid of my wife; but, if all you tell me is as you say, I think it would be the thing to do it at once this evening." And the ruffian looked earnestly at Rodolph. "This evening!--impossible!" replied he. "Why, since the occupier does not return until the day after to-morrow?" "Yes, but I--I cannot this evening--" "Really? Well, and I--I cannot to-morrow." "Why not?" "For the reason that prevents you this evening," said the robber, in a tone of mockery. After a moment's reflection, Rodolph replied: "Well, then, this evening be it. Where shall we meet?" "We will not separate," said the Schoolmaster. "Why not?" "Why should we?" "What is the use of separating? The weather has cleared up, and we will go and walk about, and give a look at the Allée des Veuves; you will see how my woman will work. When that is done, we will return and play a hand at piquet, and have a bit of something in a place in the Champs Elysées that I know, near the river; and, as the Allée des Veuves is deserted at an early hour, we will walk that way about ten o'clock." "I will join you at nine o'clock." "Do you or do you not wish that we should do this job together?" "I do wish it." "Well, then, we do not separate before evening, or else--" "Or else?" "I shall think that you are making 'a plant' for me, and that's the reason you wish to part company now." "If I wished to set the 'traps' after you, what is to prevent my doing so this evening?" "Why, everything. You did not expect that I should propose the affair to you so soon, and if you do not leave us you cannot put anybody up to it."