"You are wrong, young man; for you are playing the tambourine on that pane of glass with all your might. But I was thinking, the porter of this house in the Allée des Veuves is perhaps a stout fellow; if he resists, you have only your pistol, which is a noisy weapon, whilst a tool like this (and he showed Rodolph the handle of his poniard) makes no noise, and does not disturb anybody." "Do you mean, then, to assassinate him?" exclaimed Rodolph. "If you have any such intention, let us give up the job altogether; I will have no hand in it,--so don't rely on me--" "But if he wakes?" "We will take to our heels." "Well, just as you like; only it is better to come to a clear understanding beforehand. So, then, ours is simply a mere robbery with forcible entry--" "Nothing more." "That's very silly and contemptible; but so be it." "And as I will not leave you for a second," thought Rodolph, "I will prevent you from shedding blood." CHAPTER XIII. PREPARATIONS. The Chouette returned to the room, bringing the cigars with her. "I don't think it rains now," said Rodolph, lighting his cigar. "Suppose we go and fetch the coach ourselves,--it will stretch our legs." "What! not rain!" replied the Schoolmaster; "are you blind? Do you think I will expose Finette to the chance of catching cold, and exposing her precious life, and spoiling her new shawl?" "You are right, old fellow; it rains cats and dogs. Let the servant come and we can pay him, and desire him to fetch us a coach," replied Rodolph. "That's the most sensible thing you have said yet, young fellow; we may go and look about as we seek the Allée des Veuves." The servant entered, and Rodolph gave her five francs. "Ah, sir, it is really an imposition,--I cannot allow it," exclaimed the Schoolmaster. "Oh, all right; your turn next time." "Be it so, but on condition that I shall offer you something, by and by, in a little cabaret in the Champs Elysées,--a capital little snuggery that I know of." "Just as you like." The servant paid, and they left the room. Rodolph wished to go last, out of politeness to the Chouette, but the Schoolmaster would not allow it, and followed close on his heels, watching his every movement. The master of the house kept a wine-shop also, and amongst other drinkers, a charcoal-man, with his face blackened and his large hat flapping over his eyes, was paying his "shot" at the bar when these three personages appeared. In spite of the close lookout of the Schoolmaster and the one-eyed hag, Rodolph, who walked before the hideous pair, exchanged a rapid and unperceived glance with Murphy as he got into the hackney-coach. "Which way am I to go, master?" asked the driver. Rodolph replied, in a loud voice: "Allée des--" "Des Acacias, in the Bois de Boulogne," cried the Schoolmaster, interrupting him. Then he added, "And we will pay you well, coachman." The door was shut.