The Wandering Jew, Book IV.

d not yet perceived the sempstress. He advanced rapidly, following the dog, who though lean, half-starved, rough-coated, and dirty, seem

aken-and, at length, weary of waiting to see them come forth, ran home to fetch me. Yes; whilst I was giving way to despair, like a furious madman, you were doing what I ought to have done-discovering their retreat. What does it all prove? Why, that beasts are better t

rapid pace. Suddenly, seeing the faithful animal start aside with a bound, he raised his eyes, and perceived

son, as they approached the young workwoma

d Blanche are found!" Then, turning towards the smith, she added, "There is

hat happiness!" ex

g with emotion, as he took the work-girl

very unhappy-but I was n

on his bosom; "I never thought that my old heart could beat so!-And yet, thanks to

day," said Agricola, look

Mother Bunch affectionately in his arms; then, full of impa

; "you will restore peace, perhaps life, to my fa

. And how did

cried Dagobert, who had already

etreat, had posted himself at the convent gate, and was beginning to bark, to attract the attention of Dagobert. Understa

M. Dag

cept you, my dear girl, who are better than either man or beast. Bu

ast towards Spoil-sport. "Agricola," cried Mother Bunch, "pre

the latter was raising his hand to the knocker. "Stop, f

devil is

ys that to knock

w s

me up, and said to the soldier: "M. Dagobert, do not let us remain before this gate. T

uch surprised, but without moving

er, and said to his father: "Since sister rashes it, father, she has some reason for it. The Boulevard de

ert, without moving from his post. "The children are here, and

. "It is much more difficult than you imagine. But

ite of himself. Spoil-sport, who appeared much astonished at these hesitations, barked two or three times without quitting hi

s the sky. The Boulevard de l'Hopital, which bordered on this portion of the convent-garden, was, as we before sai

sioned in him. Hardly had they turned the corner of the street, when he sa

ers of Marshal Simon are confi

Then he added: "Well, what then? I will fetch them from a c

ed against their will and against

ds! we will see about that." And

ding him back, "one moment's

from me-I know it-and I shall not have them, either by fair

hand: "there is another way to deliver these poor children. And that witho

other way-quick

g of Mdlle. de

his Mdlle. de

ung lady, who offered to be my bail, and to who

"we will talk of that presentl

d is a friend of Mdlle. de Cardoville's. This ring will prove that you come on her behalf, and you will tell him, that she is confi

well-wh

n authority, to restore both Mdlle. de Cardoville and the daughters o

, that I must have them. The day after to-morrow would be of much use! Thanks, my go

ried Agricola, still holding back the

mes. Here is what will happen. I knock; a portress opens the door to me; she asks me what I want, but I make no answer; she tr

" said Mother Bunch, still t

whom they were trying to keep by force. Well, I walk about the convent calling for Rose and Blanche. They hear me,

obert-the nu

ying them off. Should the outer door be shut, there will be a second smash-that's all. So," added Dagobert, disengaging h

ode, Agricola was alarmed at the consequences that might attend the veteran's strange mode o

! make

er the convent by forc

w s

t. As I came out just now, I saw the porter loading his gun, and heard the g

porter's gun and a

njure you. Suppose you knock, and the door is

speak to the superior, an

t-yard, you reach a second door, with a wicket. A nun comes to it, to see w

hat I wish to see

known in the convent, they wil

what

ll come

t ne

ou what you wan

?-the devil!

e precautions they have taken, that they wish to detain t

to that point, they began by tu

u that she does not know what you mean, and

r, that they are in the

nd Spoi

not know you; that she has no explanation

me to that in the end-so leave me alone

porter will run and fetch the guard,

f your poor children, t

er B

, cost what it might, the orphans must be delivered before the morrow. The alternative was terrible-so terrible, that, pressing his t

oldier, said to him: "Do not be down-hearted, father. Remember what's been told you. By going with this ring of Mdlle. de Ca

m the bench, and looking at Mother Bunch and his son with so savage an expression

et I am right to speak as I do. Listen to me. You are an honest man, Agricola; you an honest girl; what I tell you is meant for you alone. I have brought these children from the de

ois?" cried Agricola, i

know the number

e inscribed on

rt, more end more sur

eflect. I think I guess it. Did you not tell me, my

unicating with any one. She believes herself, like the daugh

de Cardoville has the same interest as the orphans to appear to-m

w s

Cardoville tell you that she had a powerfu

she said to me: 'By this means both I and Marshal Simon's dau

hen," said Dagobert to h

me in prison, I told you, father, that I had a sacred

o take some measures, of which

could speak to any of the family; as my jacket did not inspire any great confidence, they replied that none of her family were at present there. I was in despair, but an idea occurred to me. I said to myself: 'If she is mad, her family physician must know where they have taken her; if she is in a state to hear me, he will take me to her; if not, I will speak to he

said Dagobert, impatientl

hings that I wished to make important

e these comm

ith wainscoting. The entrance to this room was composed of a sliding panel, moving by means of weights and wheels admirably contrived. As these concern my trade, I was interested in them, so I examined the springs, spite of my emotion, with curiosity, and understood the nature of their play; but there was one brass knob, of which I could not discover the use. It was in vain to pull and move it from right to left, none of the springs were touched.

ress-Rue Saint-Franc

Cardoville. To be opened by her the moment it is delivered.' Under these words, I saw the initials 'R.' and 'C.,' accompanied by a flourish, and this d

ere unbroken?" a

ctly w

le was ignorant of the existence of

letter immediately, and, notwithstanding this recommendation,

said Dagobert.

discovered, and I did not see her again. I was only able to whisper a few words of doubtful meaning to one of her waiting-women, on the subject of what I had found, ho

y like that possessed by the daughter of Ma

de Cardoville is their relation. I

of Rose an

unch; "she told that

old me on her death-bed, that one day's delay might ruin all? Do you now see that I cannot be satisfied with a perhaps to-morrow, when I have come all the way from Siberia,

, if you emp

rning, when I went to renew my charge against your mother's confessor?

oung girls are. With that certainty we shall be strong. The law i

Tell him the reasons that make it so important for these young ladies, as well as Mdlle. de Cardoville, to be at liber

commissary, and tell him that we now know where the young girls are confined.

counsel. But suppose the commissary says to you: 'We cannot act before to-morrow'-suppose the Count d

, fa

p my mind. Run to the commissary, my boy; wait for us at home, my good

ce Vendome," said she; "you come o

he soldier. "We will meet as soon

. You will see that the law pro

nest people would be obliged to protect and defend themselves.

nd Mother Bunch separated,