Dagobert turned towards Mother Bunch, and said:  “You see, my poor child—­I was sure of it.”

“Well, father,” cried Agricola; “have you seen the Court de Montbron?”

“The Count de Montbron set out for Lorraine three days ago.  That is my good news,” continued the soldier, with bitter irony; “let us have yours—­I long to know all.  I need to know, if, on appealing to the laws, which, as you told me, protect and defend honest people, it ever happens that the rogues get the best of it.  I want to know this, and then I want an iron hook—­so I count upon you for both.”

“What do you mean, father?”

“First, tell me what you have done.  We have time.  It is not much more than half-past eight.  On leaving me, where did you go first?”

“To the commissary, who had already received your depositions.”

“What did he say to you?”

“After having very kindly listened to all I had to state, he answered, that these young girls were placed in a respectable house, a convent—­so that there did not appear any urgent necessity for their immediate removal—­and besides, he could not take upon himself to violate the sanctity of a religious dwelling upon your simple testimony; to-morrow, he will make his report to the proper authorities, and steps will be taken accordingly.”

“Yes, yes—­plenty of put offs,” said the soldier.

“‘But, sir,’ answered I to him,” resumed Agricola, “’it is now, this very night, that you ought to act, for if these young girls should not be present to-morrow morning in the Rue Saint Francois, their interests may suffer incalculable damage.  ‘I am very sorry for it,’ replied he, ’but I cannot, upon your simple declaration, or that of your father, who—­like yourself—­is no relation or connection of these young persons, act in direct opposition to forms, which could not be set aside, even on the demand of a family.  The law has its delays and its formalities, to which we are obliged to submit.’”

“Certainly!” said Dagobert.  “We must submit to them, at the risk of becoming cowardly, ungrateful traitors!”

“Didst speak also of Mdlle. de Cardoville to him?” asked the work-girl.

“Yes—­but he:  answered me on this subject in much the same manner:  ’It was very serious; there was no proof in support of my deposition.  A third party had told me that Mdlle. de Cardoville affirms she was not mad; but all mad people pretend to be sane.  He could not, therefore, upon my sole testimony, take upon himself to enter the house of a respectable physician.  But he would report upon it, and the law would have its course—­’”

“When I wished to act just now for myself,” said Dagobert, “did I not forsee all this?  And yet I was weak enough to listen to you.”

“But, father, what you wished to attempt was impossible, and you agreed that it would expose you to far too dangerous consequences.”

“So,” resumed the soldier, without answering his son, “they told you in plain terms, that we must not think of obtaining legally the release of Rose and Blanche this evening or even to-morrow morning?”