WALK IN, GENTLEMEN!
While Gudel and Fanfar were making arrangements for the representation
of the evening, while Fongereues and Cyprien exchanged their honest
confidences, Robeccal went forth to meet La Roulante.
It was this amiable giantess whom Gudel had been foolish enough to
marry, although what charms he had discovered in this mountain of flesh
it would be difficult to say. But he was alone; he was very unhappy over
his wife's death, and La Roulante had consoled him. When once in
possession of Gudel's name, this woman frankly threw aside the mask and
displayed her real qualities and disposition. She was covetous and
intemperate, presenting, in fact, an extraordinary specimen of human
depravity. She hated Caillette for her youth and her beauty; she hated
Fanfar for his goodness, and hated Gudel for his patience and for his
good spirits.
Robeccal joined the troop. Gudel had found him dying of hunger, and had
rescued him. Soon he and Roulante were on excellent terms; both were
thoroughly vicious. This liaison was furthermore cemented by a common
hatred, and now they wanted to kill Gudel and Fanfar. They wished to
keep Caillette that they might torture her as children torture young
birds.
These two excellent persons, Robeccal and the giantess, sat down by the
roadside and talked over their plans.
At this time the peasants had long been deprived of all amusements, and
the circus company had been welcomed with enthusiasm which would
certainly result in heavy receipts. If Iron Jaws should disappear by
accident, or in any other way, La Roulante would remain mistress of this
money, of the chariot and the horses--a snug little fortune, if properly
managed.
The giantess only wished to get rid of Gudel, whom she now hated, and
marry this man whom she loved. It was clear that Gudel's suspicions were
excited--in fact, his wife and Robeccal were doing their best to arouse
him.
If Gudel were dead, La Roulante would look out for his daughter, of
course, and the giantess saw opening before her a vista of delightful
cruelties she could practice on the girl. But Fanfar would certainly be
in the way, for he never would allow the child to suffer, and therefore
it was plain that Fanfar should disappear with Gudel.
Such steps as these required serious consideration, and it was growing
dark when these two conspirators returned to Saint Ame.
In the meantime, two of our friends were taking a walk. Though the
justice of this phraseology may be questioned, my readers shall judge.
Bobichel placed his hat carefully on the side of the road, and then
gravely began the charming exercise which is called the "frog." Bobichel
did this with the most remarkable ease, and his wittiest sallies were
uttered in this attitude.
Caillette laughed, and at once began to dance, standing on the points of
her toes and whirling round and round.
But they were not so absorbed in their practice that they refrained from
talking.
"You are sad," said Bobichel.
"No," answered Caillette, suddenly throwing out her left leg.
Bobichel picked up a sou with his teeth.
"Has anybody been worrying you, dear?" he asked, as soon as he had
disposed of the coin.
"Nobody," answered the girl, dancing on. "If I am sad, it is about
nothing, at all events. Everybody has dark hours--"
"Indeed they have. And Caillette, listen. There are, indeed, people
about us,"--and the frog drew up his legs and jumped at least a
foot--"this Robeccal will play us a trick some fine day, and your
father's wife--well! we will see, we will see. But here they come, and I
am sure they have been plotting together."
"Come, Bobichel, do not let us wait until they overtake us," cried
Caillette.
"Do you think I shall run away? Now you go on, little girl; after a
while I will overtake you. I want to have a little talk with this
villain!"
"Don't get into any trouble, papa would be offended."
"Good-bye, then."
Robeccal saw the girl run off toward the village, and a wicked smile
gleamed over his face.
"Good," he said, between his teeth, "we shall make you pay for that!"
When he reached Bobichel, who was still in his frog attitude, the clown
gave a flourish with his leg and his foot, quite by accident of course,
knocking off Robeccal's hat.
"Look out!" cried Robeccal.
"Oh! a thousand pardons," answered Bobichel, "I did not see you!"
"Didn't you! Well! little Caillette saw me, and ran away, as if the
devil were coming."
"A girl's nonsense. Never mind her. I am glad she has gone. The truth
is, these people are putting on airs, and I don't like it."
Robeccal was no fool, and these words inspired him with suspicion. "Does
he want me to talk?" he said to himself. And he was right in this idea.
"And as for Fanfar!" continued Bobichel, now standing on his feet.
"And what of him? You are as intimate as possible with Fanfar?"
Bobichel, with a sagacious nod, replied, "Of course I am, he is the
master's favorite, but all the same I am not pleased with him. He eats
our bread, and what does he do?"
"He adds to the success of the entertainments."
"I think, Robeccal, you are trying to provoke me. Because he is strong,
because he has learned a lot of things, and can play on a lot of
instruments, does not prove that he is worth more than either of us."
"Oh! if I only knew whether you were to be trusted!" cried Robeccal.
Bobichel in vain tried to preserve utter impassibility. Robeccal
surprised a look in his eyes, which he translated at once as meaning,
"He is going to speak. I have him."
"I am to be trusted," said Bobichel, "particularly if there is a dirty
piece of business on hand!"
This was enough. Robeccal was warned.
"Well then," he said, in a whisper, "I am about to leave Gudel."
"No, not really!"
"And if you desire, we can start together. I know of a place where we
shall be received with open arms. What will Iron Jaws do without us! I
laugh when we think of it!"
"It is a good idea," said Bobichel. "When shall we go?"
"One of these nights, when it is not cold."
"Have we far to go?"
"What! Already afraid of fatigue? We will make that all easy, but I must
go now!"
"Where are you going?"
"Come now, Bobichel, none of that! I don't like questions, and I don't
choose to be watched!"
And Robeccal walked off.
The clown looked after him, and then began to pound his own head until
tears came to his eyes.
"Idiot! Fool!" he muttered. "Will you never learn any sense. Why did you
let that rascal see your game? You must warn Fanfar without delay."
And as he saw some boys looking at him, they thinking that his despair
heightened his comic appearance, he began to run toward the inn.
Gudel met him at the door.
"Well, Bob, what is the matter? You look disturbed. Come in, and take a
glass of wine. And Schwann, join us."
An hour later, the Square of Saint Ame was bright with lights, to the
great joy of the peasants, who uttered many ohs! and ahs! as they
entered the shed. Bobichel stood at the door.
"Come in, gentlemen and ladies, come in!" And then he continued his
shouts. "Wonderful Spectacle. The amazing Iron Jaws! The Wild Woman! And
Fanfar! Come in, gentlemen, come in!"
Caillette, behind the curtain, was looking through a hole, with beating
heart, murmuring, "She is not coming."
And Robeccal, passing La Roulante, whispered in her ear, "It is done!"
A horse, covered with sweat, was pulled up before the door.
"You have not forgotten me?" said Irene de Salves to Bobichel.
Gudel came forward.
"We were waiting for you before we began. But you are alone!"
"My governess will be here in a moment."
"She has come!" said Caillette, turning pale and looking up at Fanfar,
who was arranging an iron chain, and did not seem to have heard.
And the clown continued to say;
"Come in, gentlemen, come in!"
And the peasants, elbowing each other, said, "Oh! we must see this; it
won't kill us for once."