“It is a dangerous course; but I see no other.”

“If there are only two men, I and Spoil-sport will keep them in check, while you will have time to carry off the children.”

“Father, there is a better way—­a surer one,” cried Agricola, suddenly.  “From what Mother Bunch told us, Mdlle. de Cardoville has corresponded by signs with Rose and Blanche.”

“Yes.”

“Hence she knows where they are lodged, as the poor children answered her from their windows.”

“You are right.  There is only that course to take.  But how find her room?”

“Mother Bunch told me there was a shade over the window.”

“Quick! we have only to break through a wooden fence.  Have you the iron bar?”

“Here it is.”

“Then, quick!”

In a few steps, Dagobert and his son had reached the paling.  Three planks, torn away by Agricola, opened an easy passage.

“Remain here, father, and keep watch,” said he to Dagobert, as he entered Dr. Baleinier’s garden.

The indicated window was easily recognized.  It was high and broad; a sort of shade surmounted it, for this window had once been a door, since walled in to the third of its height.  It was protected by bars of iron, pretty far apart.  Since some minutes, the rain had ceased.  The moon, breaking through the clouds, shone full upon the building.  Agricola, approaching the window, saw that the room was perfectly dark; but light came from a room beyond, through a door left half open.  The smith, hoping that Mdlle. de Cardoville might be still awake, tapped lightly at the window.  Soon after, the door in the background opened entirely, and Mdlle. de Cardoville, who had not yet gone to bed, came from the other chamber, dressed as she had been at her interview with Mother Bunch.  Her charming features were visible by the light of the taper she held in her hand.  Their present expression was that of surprise and anxiety.  The young girl set down the candlestick on the table, and appeared to listen attentively as she approached the window.  Suddenly she started and stopped abruptly.  She had just discerned the face of a man, looking at her through the window.  Agricola, fearing that Mdlle. de Cardoville would retire in terror to the next room, again tapped on the glass, and running the risk of being heard by others, said in a pretty loud voice:  “It is Agricola Baudoin.”

These words reached the ears of Adrienne.  Instantly remembering her interview with Mother Bunch, she thought that Agricola and Dagobert must have entered the convent for the purpose of carrying off Rose and Blanche.  She ran to the window, recognized Agricola in the clear moonlight, and cautiously opened the casement.

“Madame,” said the smith, hastily; “there is not an instant to lose.  The Count de Montbron is not in Paris.  My father and myself have come to deliver you.”

“Thanks, thanks, M. Agricola!” said Mdlle. de Cardoville, in a tone expressive of the most touching gratitude; “but think first of the daughters of General Simon.”