human
But, said the woman,
gpt
I like it not. It is treachery--_bassesse_. And he is _beau_. _Mon Dieu! mais il est beau_----
human
the man replied.
gpt
It is always of _les beaux_ you think. Once 'twas the fisher from Havre, then Le Bic, of the _maréchausse_, now this one. And why base? The king pays a hundred gold pistoles for such as he. And if not to us, then others will get it. Why not we?
human
You are sure? You are not mistaken?
gpt
Sure! From the first moment. Though I held my peace. Ho! why frighten the bird away from the nest? At first the hair and mustache puzzled me--then----
human
Ay! muttered St. Georges between his teeth,
gpt
You are certain? the woman asked again.
human
A mistake would be terrible--would send you back to the galleys yourself, only as beaten slave--not overseer.
gpt
Certain! So will the others be when he is taken--alive or dead. There on his shoulder, _ma belle_, they will see proof--the _fleur-de-lis_. Fortunate for him he was not a religious prisoner, a victim of our holy Church. Otherwise it would have been burnt into his cheek, and he would have been so marked he could not have escaped a day!
human
Will it be alive--_or dead_?
gpt
Dead, if he resists, at daybreak, in an hour. Then they will come for him; it is arranged. And take him--doubtless slay him. What matter? The reward is the same. 'Alive or dead,' says the paper--they showed it me at La Poste--'one hundred gold pistoles.' And the horse will be ours, too.
human
How will they do it?
gpt
Hist! Listen. And get you to bed before they come. You need not be in it. I have arranged it, _je te dis_.
human
But how--how--how?
gpt
I will awake him, bid him hurry; tell him he is discovered, lost, unless he flies. Then, doubtless, he will rush to the door, and, poof! they will cut him down as he rushes out. I have told them he is violent. They must strike at once. _Tu comprends?_
human
Yes,
gpt
And, the man said again,