human
And now what?
gpt
Let me tell you, first, what you have saved me from,
human
No, no, replied the girl,
gpt
I will, declared the other, and the light of a fine purpose gave a dignity to her rather selfish beauty.
human
Or, rather, we will save him together. First, I want you to take this money--you will take it now _for him?_ That's right, put it in your dress. Ah, she smiled as Alice obeyed her.
gpt
That is for a lawyer. He must have a good lawyer at once.
human
Yes, of course, agreed Alice,
gpt
Ah, if I could only send you to my lawyer! But that would involve explanations. We need a man to advise us, some one who knows about these things.
human
I have it, exclaimed Alice joyfully.
gpt
The very person!
human
Who is that?
gpt
M. Coquenil.
human
What? The other stared.
gpt
You mean Paul Coquenil, the detective?
human
Yes, said the girl confidently.
gpt
He would help us; I'm sure of it.
human
He is on the case already. Didn't you know that? The papers are full of it.
gpt
That doesn't matter, does it? He would tell us exactly what to do. I saw him in Notre-Dame only yesterday and--and he spoke to me so kindly. You know, M. Coquenil is a friend of Papa Bonneton's; he lends him his dog Caesar to guard the church.
human
It seems like providence, murmured the lady.
gpt
Yes, that is the thing to do, you must go to M. Coquenil at once. Tell the old sacristan I have sent you on an errand--for another twenty francs.
human
I can manage that. But what shall I say to M. Paul?
gpt
Speak to him about the lawyer and the money; I will send more if necessary. Tell him what has happened between us and then put yourself in his hands. Do whatever he thinks best. There is one thing I want M. Kittredge to be told--I wish you would write it down so as to make no mistake. Here is a pencil and here is a piece of paper. With nervous haste she tore a page from a little memorandum book.
human
Now, then, and she dictated the following statement which Alice took down carefully: