"Not at all mistaken, my lord. But let the brave fellow, to whom all praise is due, relate the affair in which he was the principal actor himself."
The doctor looked about for the recently elected sick-nurse, and at length found him, thoroughly silenced and shamed by his late tumble, ensconced behind the curtains of the bed.
"Here he is," said the doctor; "he looks somewhat shamefaced."
"Come forward, my brave fellow!" said Rodolph, extending his hand to his preserver.
The confusion of the poor Chourineur was still further increased from having, when behind his curtain, heard the black doctor address Rodolph continually as "my lord," or "your royal highness."
"Approach, my friend,--my deliverer!" said Rodolph, "and give me your hand."
"I beg pardon, sir,--I mean, my lord,--no, highness,--no--"
"Call me M. Rodolph, as you used to do; I like it better."
"And so do I,--it comes so much easier to one. But be so good as to excuse my hand; I have done so much work lately, that--"
Overcome by this kind and persevering command, the Chourineur timidly extended his black and horny palm, which Rodolph warmly shook.
"Now, then, sit down, and tell me all about it,--how you discovered the cellar. But I think I can guess. The Schoolmaster?"
"We have him in safety," said the black doctor.
"Yes, he and the Chouette, tied together like two rolls of tobacco. A pair of pretty creatures they look, as ever you would wish to see, and, I doubt not, sick enough of each other's company by this time."
"And my poor Murphy! What a selfish wretch must I be to think only of myself! Where is he wounded, David?"
"In the right side, my lord; but, fortunately, towards the lower false rib."
"Oh, I must have a deep and terrible revenge for this! David, I depend upon your assistance."
"My lord knows full well that I am wholly devoted to him, both body and soul," replied the negro, coldly.
"But how, my noble fellow, were you able to arrive here in time?" said Rodolph to the Chourineur.
"Why, if you please, my lor--no, sir--highness--Rodolph--I had better begin by the beginning--"
"Quite right. I am listening,--go on. But mind, you are only to call me M. Rodolph."
"Very well. You know that last night you told me, after you returned from the country, where you had gone with poor Goualeuse, 'Try and find the Schoolmaster in the Cité; tell him you know of a capital "put-up," that you have refused to join it, but that if he will take your place he has only to be to-morrow (that's to-day) at the barrier of Bercy, at the Panier-Fleuri, and there he will see the man who has "made the plant" (_qui a nourri le poupard_).'"