"Not to me,--you owe it to M. Rodolph." "But whence arises his interest in me?" "That is for him to tell you, or, perhaps, he will not tell you, for he very often chooses to do good, and if you ask him why, he will not let you know." "M. Rodolph, then, knows you are here?" "I'm not such a fool as to tell him my plans; perhaps he would not have consented to my whim, and, really, I must say it was capital." "But what risks you have run,--indeed, still run." "Oh, what risk? I might not have been brought to La Force,--that was the worst risk,--but I relied on M. Rodolph's interest to have my prison changed, so that I might have got to you." "But at your trial?" "Well, I shall beg M. Murphy to send me the portmanteau. Before the judge I shall appear in my black wig, blue spectacles, and hump, and shall be again M. Gregoire for the porter who let me the chambers and the tradespeople who sold me the goods. So much for the robbery. If they wish to see the thief again, I'll put off my suit, and then it will be as clear as daylight that the robber and the robbed together only make a total of the Chourineur and no more. And what the devil would you expect when it is proved that I robbed myself?" "Why, indeed," said Germain, more assured; "but since you take so much interest in me, why did you not speak to me when you came first into the prison?" "I knew instantly of the scheme against you by the prisoners, and I might have denounced them before Pique-Vinaigre began or ended his story; but to denounce such ruffians did not suit my ideas,--I preferred trusting only to my fist in order to snatch you from the clutch of the Skeleton; and when I saw that scoundrel I said to myself, 'This is a fine opportunity for putting in practice that shower of blows to which I owe the honour of M. Rodolph's acquaintance.'" "But if all the prisoners had taken part against you, alone, what could you have done?" "Why, then, I should have shrieked like an eagle and called lustily for help. But I preferred having my little affair all to myself, that I might be able to say to M. Rodolph, 'I was all alone in the matter. I have defended and will defend your friend,--be easy on that subject.'" At this moment the turnkey suddenly returned to the apartment. "Monsieur Germain, go to the governor; he wishes to speak to you immediately. And you, Chourineur, go down into the Fosse-aux-Lions; you are to be _prevot_, if you like, for you have all the qualifications for that duty, and the prisoners will not joke with a man of your sort." "It is all the same to me, I'd as soon be captain as private." "Will you refuse my hand now?" said Germain, cordially. "_Ma foi!_ no, M. Germain! I'll shake hands with all my heart." "We shall see one another again, for I am now under your protection. I shall have nothing more to fear, and shall, therefore, come down every day from my cell into the yard."