“Ah! she consented?” growled the inventor, grinding his teeth and his eyes kindling.

“Nobody can hold out against the colonel.  He soon made me play the spy on everybody for his benefit.  But this is not all!”

“Not all! what a sink of iniquity!  Would she poison Mademoiselle Rebecca, too?”

“I do not doubt it!  The old witch her grandmother must have taught her all the tricks of her trade.  But I meant to say that she is setting her cap at poor, dear, young M. Antonino—­”

“I know that.  Take your money! and live honestly.”

“No, monsieur,” she replied with some dignity.  “And here is money that the colonel gave me.  It burns me!  I beg you to give it toward some good work, which you understand better than me.  Will you not—­and forgive me?”

“Have you anything more to say?”

“I have been peeping and listening, but they are all very cunning.  I only gleaned that the colonel who has just gone out as if to the station, should return later and hang around to have the rifle and some papers delivered to him.”

“By Antonino?”

“If your wife can make him a cat’s-paw; if not, she is capable of doing all herself—­though, anyway, she is driven to it.  But, monsieur, it burdened me and if you had not called me, I was coming to tell you of their schemes.  I do not like your idea of killing people by hundreds, but it may be good to honest folks, beset by savages and such like, and it is not right of a servant to let a master be robbed by more than bandits and brigands.”

“I am grateful to you, girl.”  She seized his hand and covered it with grateful kisses.  “Keep your money and this I give you.  Do good with your own hand, then it will bless both giver and receiver, as is written.”

“Monsieur, you are too good.  Could I ask a favor—­a proof that you do not think me altogether bad?  Will you recommend me to Mademoiselle Daniels.  The Jews do not object to Christian servants, and, besides,” she said with simplicity, “I am so poor a Christian.”

“You shall enter her service.  You will continue, reformed under her charge.  Go and pack up and hasten from this house—­accursed as an eyrie of vultures!”

“I am glad you have the warning.  Excuse me, but if you were to do like the colonel only pretend to go away and come back here to use your ears and eyes, you would see what happens.”

By the look that passed over her master’s face, the girl, though no wise woman, perceived that she had mistaken.  He was not the sort to act like a Von Sendlingen and hide himself to peep and listen.  He would be no better than herself if he acted thus.

“I have advised you to go away with the Daniels.  I shall drive the party over in the carriage to the station and return as though I knew of nothing.  There are times for men to act; times for God to have a clear field.  Persevere in the right path, girl, and say no more to anybody not even Mademoiselle Daniels.”