Volume II Part 73 (1/2)
”Who is that?”
”Listen, listen! it is Calabash.”
”What does she say?”
”She tells them to hold the foot of the ladder steady.”
”Oh! do you see, it was in taking away the long ladder which was against our window that they made such a noise just now.”
”I hear nothing more.”
”What are they doing with the ladder now?”
”I can't see anything more.”
”Do you hear nothing?”
”No.”
”Oh, Francois, it is, perhaps, to get into brother Martial's room by the window that they have taken the ladder?”
”That may be.”
”If you would open the shutter a little to see--”
”I dare not.”
”Only a little.”
”Oh! no, no. If mother should see it--”
”It is so dark there is no danger.”
Francois, yielding to the entreaties of his sister, opened the blinds and looked out.
”Well, brother?” said Amandine, overcoming her fears, and approaching Francois on tiptoe.
”By the light of the lantern,” said he; ”I see Calabash holding the foot of the ladder, placed against Martial's window.”
”What then?”
”Nicholas goes up the ladder; he has his hatchet in his hands; I see it s.h.i.+ne.”
”Hullo, you are not gone to bed! you are spying us!” cried the widow suddenly, calling to Francois and his sister. Just as she was going into the kitchen she saw the light from the half-opened window. The unfortunate children had neglected to extinguish their light. ”I am coming up,” added the widow, in a terrible voice; ”I am coining to you, little spies.”
Such are the events which took place at the Ravageur's Island, the evening before Mrs. Seraphin was to conduct thither Fleur-de-Marie.
CHAPTER XXV.