Part 67 (1/2)

And Bruno knocked on the door, beginning at the same time to whistle and hum his favorite tune: _Tu tu tu tu r'lu tu tu tu_.

Poterne was at table with Madame Ratouille, on the ground floor; Darena had gone upstairs, where he had ordered Louise's dinner to be served, announcing his purpose to dine with her. He had just declared his love to Louise, who, terrified and trembling, began to understand that she had fallen into a trap, and implored heaven to come to her aid.

On the ground floor, where there was no talk of love, they ate much and drank even more. Madame Ratouille's eyes had grown so small that they were invisible, and Monsieur Poterne's tongue was beginning to thicken, when Bruno knocked on the door.

For some time no one answered; at last Poterne's voice inquired:

”Who's there?”

”It's me, Pere Poterne; it's your little monkey, Bruno; please let me in.”

”What do you want, you scalawag? what have you come here for? We are not in need of you. Away you go!”

”I came to get a Greek cap that I forgot to take; I'm sure I can find it, for I know just where I put it. Let me get my cap and I'll go right away.”

”You annoy us. Go somewhere else and get a cap. Leave us in peace.”

”If you don't let me get my cap, which is in your house, I'll knock on the door all night, and I'll make row enough to bring the watch here.”

That threat convinced Poterne; he opened the door, grumbling:

”Well, come in and find your Greek cap; and make haste to clear out.”

But instead of the small boy whom he expected to see, Cherubin darted into the house, with a pistol in his hand, the barrel of which he held against Poterne's chest, saying in a low voice, but with fire flas.h.i.+ng from his eyes:

”If you make a sound, I'll kill you!--Where is Louise?”

Poterne was so frightened that he could barely murmur:

”Upstairs--with Darena.”

Cherubin asked no more questions; he darted forward, rushed upstairs, and with a kick forced the door of the apartment on the first floor. He was no longer the weak, timid young man, who could neither speak nor act, but a Hercules whom nothing could withstand. As he entered the room he saw Louise struggling and doing her utmost to repel Darena, who was trying to take her in his arms. Cherubin rushed upon the man who sought to outrage Louise, and seizing him about the middle of the body, lifted him up and threw him violently across the room, against the table on which the dinner was served.

Darena had no time to grasp what had happened, or to defend himself; his head struck the corner of the table, his chin broke a plate which cut his face, and he fell, murmuring Cherubin's name.

”Cherubin!” cried Louise, staring at her rescuer, afraid to believe her eyes, but shedding tears of joy. ”Is it possible? It is he! it is you!”

”Yes, Louise, it is I, Cherubin, your friend, your brother--so overjoyed to find you! But come, come! Do not stay any longer in this infamous house! As for you, villain, if there is any heart left in your body, and if you wish to have the honor of dying by my hand, come to my house, and you will find that the young man whom you believed to be so shy and timid, knows how to use a sword and a pistol.”

Darena could not reply, for he was unconscious.

Cherubin took Louise's hand and led her away; on the lower floor they found Madame Ratouille still at table, while Poterne was trying to hide in a b.u.t.ter firkin, and Bruno stood guard at the door. Cherubin did not stay an instant with Darena's confederate; he led Louise from the house, and told Bruno to call the cab to the door; he did so, and they entered.

But, before they drove away, Cherubin took a handful of gold pieces from his pocket and gave them to Bruno, saying:

”Take this; you have earned it by doing a good deed; I hope that it will bring you luck, and that you will try to become an honest man.”

The cab drove off. Cherubin held both of Louise's hands in his; and for some time those two, who had not met for three years, were so pleased and happy to be together again, their hearts were so full, their emotion so intense, that they could exchange only incoherent words and broken sentences.

”It is really you, Cherubin, who saved me,” said Louise. ”So you did still think of me?”

”Why, Louise, I have been searching Paris for three days, looking everywhere for you, ever since I learned that you had disappeared from Madame de Noirmont's. I have not lived, I have not had a moment's peace of mind!”