emplated the chances which
lay in knocking him down, and taking refuge in flight, but he reflected
that if the house were alarmed he would not get off, and if not, it
might be possible to enlist M. Plon on his side. He therefore went
quietly back into the room, saying, "Do not fear, M. Plon.... I give
you my word, I am not going to fight."

"You had better not," said the other blusteringly. "You had better not!"

"Oh, as to that ..." said Jean with anger.

M. Plon retreated a second time before this demonstration, and again
lifted his voice for the police.

"They'll be here fast enough, no doubt," said Jean quietly, though there
was a bitter feeling of downfall in his heart. "Meanwhile, perhaps it
might be as well for me to tell you who I am."

"Who you are?" repeated M. Plon indignantly. "It's easy enough to see
that, my fine fellow, though what you could expect to steal here is not
so clear. You've got the air of a gallows bird, and it's well this poor
child has me--the brave Plon--to protect her."

"Come, come, M. Plon--listen to reason. I'm the husband of Madame
Didier."

"The husband of Madame Didier? What, when she hasn't got one!" cried the
other, now fairly enraged.

"Nevertheless, you might remember Jean Didier--if only you would," said
Jean imploringly, for he began to think there was yet a chance for him
if he could conciliate his landlord, and he made a few steps towards him
holding out his hands. But Perine screamed and Plon waved him
energetically back. Finding his prisoner cowed he launched some strong
invectives at him.

"You're a thief and a cut-throat, that's what you are!" he said,
shivering. "Keep off, keep off! You could no more stand in Jean Didier's
shoes than you could in mine, for he was a decent, peaceable young
fellow, and more than that, he was shot. So you've got hold of the wrong
story here, Monsieur Blacklegs, and one that won't serve you much in the
_violon_."

"It's true, I give you my word," said Jean.

"They did their best to shoot me, but I was only wounded. Marie got me
up here, and here I have been ever since."

"Was there ever such a cool hand!" cried Plon wrathfully. "And you
absolutely think to persuade me of this when not a soul comes in and out
of this house without my knowing. A pretty tale!"

Jean muttered "Blockhead!" under his breath. Aloud he said, "But--M.
Plon--am I not here now?"

"No, you are not!" Plon retorted,--"or if you are, you shall soon be out