“But, M. Dagobert—­the nuns—­the nuns?”

“The nuns, with all their squalling, will not prevent my breaking open the door, seizing my children in my arms, and carrying them off.  Should the outer door be shut, there will be a second smash—­that’s all.  So,” added Dagobert, disengaging himself from the grasp, “wait for me here.  In ten minutes I shall be back again.  Go and get a hackney-coach ready, my boy.”

More calm than Dagobert, and, above all, better informed as to the provisions of the Penal Code, Agricola was alarmed at the consequences that might attend the veteran’s strange mode of proceeding.  So, throwing himself before him, he exclaimed:  “One word more, I entreat you.”

“Zounds! make haste!”

“If you attempt to enter the convent by force, you will ruin all.”

“How so?”

“First of all, M. Dagobert,” said Mother Bunch, “there are men in the convent.  As I came out just now, I saw the porter loading his gun, and heard the gardener talking of his sharp scythe, and the rounds he was to make at night.”

“Much I care for a porter’s gun and a gardener’s scythe!”

“Well, father; but listen to me a moment, I conjure you.  Suppose you knock, and the door is opened—­the porter will ask you what you want.’

“I tell him that I wish to speak to the superior, and so walk into the convent.”

“But, M. Dagobert,” said Mother Bunch, “when once you have crossed the court-yard, you reach a second door, with a wicket.  A nun comes to it, to see who rings, and does not open the door till she knows the object of the visit.”

“I will tell her that I wish to see the lady superior.”

“Then, father, as you are not known in the convent, they will go and inform the superior.”

“Well, what then?”

“She will come down.”

“What next?”

“She will ask you what you want, M. Dagobert.”

“What I want?—­the devil! my children!”

“One minute’s patience, father.  You cannot doubt, from the precautions they have taken, that they wish to detain these young ladies against their will, and against yours.”

“Doubt!  I am sure of it.  To come to that point, they began by turning the head of my poor wife.”

“Then, father, the superior will reply to you that she does not know what you mean, and that the young ladies are not in the convent.”

“And I will reply to her, that they are in the convent witness—­Mother Bunch and Spoil-sport.”

“The superior will answer, that she does not know you; that she has no explanations to give you; and will close the wicket.”

“Then I break it open—­since one must come to that in the end—­so leave me alone, I tell you! ’sblood! leave me alone!”

“And, on this noise and violence, the porter will run and fetch the guard, and they will begin by arresting you.”

“And what will become of your poor children, then, M. Dagobert?” said Mother Bunch.