: and there are some pretty women in the Rue
des Bourdonnais."

They entered the room. Dubois made a sign to Tapin, who appeared in the
first room, followed by two men, then shut the door behind him.

Tapin's two followers went to the window of the common room, and drew
the curtains, while Tapin placed himself behind the door of Jonquiere's
room, so as to be hidden by it when it opened. The host now returned
from La Jonquiere's room, to write down the receipt for the money which
La Jonquiere had just paid him for the wine, when Tapin threw a
handkerchief over his mouth, and carried him off like a feather to a
second carriage standing at the door. One of the men seized the little
girl who was cooking eggs, the other carried off the servant, and soon
they were all on the way to St. Lazare, drawn by two such good horses
that it was evidently not a real hired car.

Tapin remained behind, and taking from a closet a calico apron and
waistcoat, signed to a loiterer who was looking in at the window, and
who quickly transformed himself into a publican.

At this moment a violent noise was heard in the captain's room, as of a
table thrown down with bottles and glasses; then oaths, then the
clinking of a sword, then silence.

Presently a carriage was heard rolling away up the Rue de Deux-Boules.
Tapin looked joyous.

"Bravo," said he, "that is done."

"It was time, masters," said the pretended publican, "for here is a
customer."

CHAPTER XIV.

TRUST TO SIGNS OF GRATITUDE.

Tapin at first thought that it was the Chevalier de Chanlay, but it was
only a woman who wanted a pint of wine.

"What has happened to poor M. Bourguignon?" asked she. "He has just been
taken away in a coach."

"Alas!" said Tapin, "we were far from expecting it. He was standing
there talking, and was suddenly seized with apoplexy."

"Gracious heavens!"

"We are all mortal," said Tapin, throwing up his eyes.

"But why did they take the little girl?"

"To attend to her father--it is her duty."

"But the servant?"

"To cook for them."

"Ah, I could not understand it all, so I came to buy a pint of wine,
though I did not want it, that I might find out."

"Well, now you know."

"Yes, but who are you?"

"I am Champagne, Bourguignon's cousin. I arrived by chance this
morning; I brought him news of his family, and the sudden joy overcame
him; ask Grabigeon," continued Tapin, showing his assistant, who was
finishing an omelet commenc