"

"I have never counted them, but no doubt you are right."

"Well, one blow for a, two for b, three for c, and so on."

"I understand, but this method of communication must be somewhat
lengthy, and I see a string at my window which is getting impatient--I
will strike a blow or two to show my neighbor that I have heard him, and
then attend to the string."

"Go, monsieur, I beg, for if I am not mistaken that string is of
importance to me; but first strike three blows on the floor--in Bastille
language that means patience; the prisoner will then wait for a new
signal."

Gaston struck three blows with the leg of his chair, and the noise
ceased.

He then went to the window.

It was not easy to reach the bars, but he at length succeeded in doing
so and raising the string, which was gently pulled by some hand as a
sign of acknowledgment.

Gaston drew the packet--which would scarcely pass the bars--toward him;
it contained a pot of sweetmeats and a book. He saw that there was
something written on the paper which covered the pot, but it was too
dark to read it.

The string vibrated gently, to show that an answer was expected, and
Gaston, remembering his neighbor's lesson, took a broom, which he saw in
the corner, and struck three blows on the ceiling.

This, it will be remembered, meant patience.

The prisoner withdrew the string, freed from its burden.

Gaston returned to the chimney.

"Eh! monsieur," said he.

"All right, what is it?"

"I have just received, by means of a string, a pot of sweets and a
book."

"Is not there something written on one of them?"

"About the book I do not know, but there is on the pot; unfortunately it
is too dark to read."

"Wait," said the voice, "I will send a light."

"I thought lights were forbidden."

"Yes, but I have procured one."

"Well, then send it, for I am as impatient as you to know what is
written to me." And Gaston, feeling cold, began to dress himself.

All at once he saw a light in his chimney; the bell came down again
transformed into a lantern.

This transformation was effected in the most simple manner, the bell
turned upside down, so as to form a vessel, into which some oil had been
poured, and in the oil burned a little wick.

Gaston found this so ingenious that for a moment he forgot both the pot
and the book. "Monsieur," said he to his neighbor, "may I, without
indiscretion, ask you how you procured the different objects with which
you fabr