ay of the Clock, a quay but little frequented, her wretched jumble
store of odds and ends. She had kept in touch with the band of Numbers,
which had gradually come together again as soon as the various numbers
of it had finished serving their time.

For a while they had lived unmolested, but lately misfortunes had laid a
heavy hand on the group. Still, as the band began to break up, other
members came to replace those who had disappeared, either temporarily or
for good and all.

At any rate, they could safely count on the assistance of an individual
more valuable to them than anyone; this was a man named Nibet, who
although he intervened but seldom, could, thanks to his influence, save
the band many annoyances. This Nibet held an honourable official
position; he was a warder at the Depot.

* * * * *

Whilst Mother Toulouche, from the back of her store, was watching with a
derisive air the good-natured Cranajour fasten up the Academician's robe
in a prominent position on the front of her nondescript emporium,
someone stepped inside, and warmly greeted Mother Toulouche with a:

"Good day, old lady!"

It was big Ernestine,[5] who explained volubly that for a good half hour
she had been prowling about near the statue of Henry IV, keeping the
store well in view, but not daring to approach until the usual signal
had been displayed. Those who frequented the place knew that when the
store was under police observation and Mother Toulouche feared a raid
she took care to hang out any kind of old clothes; but if the way was
clear, if no lurking police were on the lookout, then the rallying flag
would be hoisted, the flag being the old, patched, rusty, musty
Academician's robe.

[Footnote 5: See _The Exploits of Juve_.]

Ernestine had arrived looking thoroughly upset:

"Have you heard the latest?" she cried, "the bad news?"

"What news? Whose news?" questioned Mother Toulouche.

"Why, that poor Emilet has come down a regular cropper!"

"The poor fellow!... He isn't smashed up, is he?" Mother Toulouche
lifted her hands.

"I haven't heard anything more than what I've told you!"

Consternation was on the faces of the two women.

Their good Mimile! He who knew how to take care of himself without
leaving a comrade in the lurch, who stuck to them, working for the
common good.

A few years previous to this Mimile, having refused to conform to
military law, had been arrested in the tavern o