Part 57 (1/2)
The latter turned her weapon upon the new-comer just as the two men from below grabbed her. This diversion enabled the infuriated dog-owner to plant both hands in the enemy's hair, which came off at the first wrench.
”Oh!” cried Jean.
”It is horrible!” said Mlle. Fouchette, with a shudder.
From where they beheld the tragedy they could not see that the hair was false.
But the dog-beater was just as angry as if it had been ripped from its original and virgin pasture, and she uttered a shriek that was heard around the block and grappled her three a.s.sailants.
The whole four, a struggling composite ma.s.s of legs and arms, went rolling down to the next landing surrounded by a special and lurid atmosphere of oaths.
There they were arrested by the aroused police agents.
Poor little Tu-tu had stopped howling. He was dead,--crushed under the human avalanche.
”Yes,” said Jean, ”this is a quiet house.”
”Dame!” replied Mlle. Fouchette, ”it is like death!”
CHAPTER XVI
An hour later Jean Marot and Mlle. Fouchette were at the foot of the broad stone steps leading to the Hotel Dieu, the famous hospital fronting on the plaza of Notre Dame.
”I will wait,” he said.
”Yes; I will inquire,” she a.s.sented. ”I was here last night.” And Mlle. Fouchette ran lightly up the steps and entered the palatial court.
Another woman was hastily walking in the opposite direction. She bent her head and quickened her steps as if to avoid recognition.
”Why, it is Madeleine!” cried Mlle. Fouchette, throwing herself in the way.
A face stamped with the marks of dissipation and haggard with watching was raised to meet this greeting. The one big, round, dark orb gleamed upon the speaker almost fiercely.
”So you're here again,” muttered the one-eyed grisette, in her deep voice.
”It seems so. I wish to find out how he is.”
”What business is it of yours?”
”Oh, come, now, Madeleine; you're all upset. You look worn out. You have been here all night?”
”Ah, ca! it is nothing. Have I not been up all night more than once?”
”And monsieur----”
”They say he is better.”
”You have seen him, then?”