"Nicholas has something. You may be sure if we attend to what he and mother say, they would not make our lives so uncomfortable, but give us pretty things, as they did to-day. They would not distrust us, and we should have money like Tortillard." "But we must steal for that; and how that would grieve dear, good Martial!" "Well, so much the worse!" "Oh, Francois! And then we should be taken up and put into prison." "To be in a prison or shut up in a workshop all day is the same thing. Besides, the Gros-Boiteux says they amuse themselves very much in prison." "But how sorry Martial would be; only think of that! And then it is on our account that he returned here, and remains with us! For himself only he would not have any difficulty, but could go again and be a poacher in the woods which he is so very fond of." "Oh, if he'll take us with him into the woods," said Francois, "that would be better than anything else. I should be with him I am so fond of, and should not work at any business that would tire me." The conversation of Francois and Amandine was interrupted. Some one outside double-locked their door. "They have fastened us in," said Francois. "Oh, what can it be for, brother? What are they going to do to us?" "It is Martial, perhaps." "Listen, listen,--how his dog barks!" said Amandine, listening. After a few minutes, Francois added: "It sounds as if some one were knocking at his door with a hammer. Perhaps they want to force it open!" "Yes; but how the dog barks still!" "Listen, Francois! It is as if they were nailing something. Oh, dear, oh, dear, how frightened I am! What are they doing to our brother? And how the dog howls still!" "Amandine, I hear nothing now," said Francois, going towards the door. The two children held their breath, and listened anxiously. "They are coming from my brother's room," said Francois, in a low voice; "I hear them walking in the passage." "Let us throw ourselves on our beds; mother would kill us if she found us out of bed," said Amandine, terrified. "No," said Francois, still listening; "they have just passed by our door, and are running down the staircase." "Oh, dear, oh, dear, what can it be?" "Ah, now they are opening the kitchen door." "Do you think so?" "Yes, yes; I know the sound." "Martial's dog is still howling," said Amandine, listening. Suddenly she exclaimed, "Francois, our brother calls us." "Martial?" "Yes; don't you hear him? Don't you hear him now?" And at this moment, in spite of the thickness of the two closed doors, the powerful voice of Martial, who called to the children from his room, reached them. "Indeed, we can't go to him; we are locked in," said Amandine. "They must be doing something wrong to him, as he calls us." "Oh, as to that, if I could hinder them," exclaimed Francois, resolutely, "I would, even if they were to cut me to pieces!"