"For I think I know," I
said, "where your son is."
"At Madame's?" he groaned.
"No; here," I said.
"MON DIEU! Where?" he cried. And he sprang up, startled out of
his lamentations.
"Here; in my lodging," I answered.
"My son is here?" he said.
"In the next room," I replied, smiling indulgently at his
astonishment, which was only less amusing than his terror. "I
have but to touch this bell, and Maignan will bring him to you."
Full of wonder and admiration, he implored me to ring and have
him brought immediately; since until he had set eyes on him he
could not feel safe. Accordingly I rang my hand-bell, and
Maignan opened the door. "The clockmaker," I said nodding.
He looked at me stupidly. "The clock-maker, your excellency?"
"Yes; bring him in," I said.
"But--he has gone!" he exclaimed.
"Gone?" I cried, scarcely able to believe my ears. "Gone,
sirrah! and I told you to detain him!"
"Until he had mended the clock, my lord," Maignan stammered,
quite out of countenance. "But he set it going half-an-hour ago;
and I let him go, according to your order.
Pages:
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45