"A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED."
One, two, three, four, five, six, sounded a deep-throated bell upon the
evening air, and then a chime of bells played Luther's Chant.
"O, dear!" groaned Johnny; "that's the wonderful clock; I wish we had let
it alone."
"Hark!" exclaimed Eric.
His quick ear had caught the sound of footsteps upon the stairway leading
to their room, and he fancied them to be his uncle's. He was right. The
door opened presently, and Mr. Van Rasseulger was with them.
"Well, what is all this nonsense?" he exclaimed, grasping Eric's hand, and
drawing Johnny into his lap. "A good-natured guardian lets you off for a
good time, and you get into trouble the first thing."
Eric related all that had occurred, a little embarrassed at Johnny's
admiring remark,--
"You ought to have seen him spin that little dancing Frenchman against the
wall, papa. I wish I'd been big enough! I'd have thrashed him!"
"Hush, Johnny," said his father. "Go on, Eric. You say he found the money
in the fauteuil. How in the world did the things get into this room?"
"That is just what puzzles everybody," answered Eric, earnestly. "Uncle
John, how _could_ it have got there? and the ring, too?"
"Where did you find the ring, Johnny?"
"Right here, sir, upon the floor, by Froll's cage;" answered Johnny,
getting up and standing in the place.
"It is very mysterious, certainly," Mr. Van Rasseulger said, "and the
strange circumstances give the man strong grounds for suspicion against
you. Of course, it is absurd to think that two little boys would have
committed such a robbery; yet the ring was found in your hands, and the
money concealed in your room, and therefore you are accused."
"But, papa, can't you take us away? We didn't do it."
"You silly boy, I _know_ you did not do it. But would you not rather stay
and prove satisfactorily to all that you did not? I should not wish to
take you from here while the faintest shadow of a suspicion lingered that
you were guilty."
"Nor would I wish to go," said Eric, proudly.
"Well, then we'll stay," said Johnny, dolefully; "but I think it is
dreadfully unjust to spoil all our good time. We Americans wouldn't do so
to a Frenchman."
"I'm afraid we would, under such suspicious evidences," said his uncle.
"But you needn't worry about it, boys; every cloud has a silver lining."
"It isn't pleasant to know we can't go out of our room," said Eric.
"No: I must arrange about that," Mr. Van Rasseulger answered. "I will
write a note to the American consul, and get you released."
Eric started suddenly to his feet.
"I am sure I heard Mr. Lacelle's voice," he said.
"You couldn't have," said Johnny. "You left him at Amsterdam."
"I did, I know I did!" persisted Eric. "There it is again: that is he! O,
Uncle John, go out and tell him about it."
His uncle left them, and before long returned, actually bringing Mr.
Lacelle with him.
The diver was surprised beyond measure to find his favorite Eric in
Strasbourg, and highly indignant at the circumstance which detained him.
"You are the most honest boy that ever lived," he cried, and told Mr. Van
Rasseulger about the box of sovereigns. "But come, tell me all about
this," he added.
Eric again related the incident, beginning with his discovery of Froll's
disappearance, and ending with the charge of theft and threat of prison.
Johnny, who despite his dislike of Frenchmen in general, cordially liked
Mr. Lacelle, was surprised to see his gradually increasing excitement as
Eric's story progressed. At its termination, he started to his feet, and
rapidly pacing the floor, exclaimed, joyfully,--
"_Ha! a bon chat, bon rat!_"[2]
"What have cats and rats to do with it?" thought Eric.
"He is crazy!" thought Johnny.
"Ah!" thought Mr. Van Rasseulger, "can he see through the millstone?"
"Eric, your good name shall be cleared of all suspicion. Give me your
hand!" exclaimed Mr. Lacelle. "I congratulate you, lad! I know who did the
mischief."
"Do you?" exclaimed the astonished boy.
"Yes, my friend," answered the Frenchman, and darted from the room.
"Here's a go!" cried Johnny, thrusting his hands into his pockets and
striking an attitude; "he knows, and he hasn't told us what he knows, and
I think _his_ nose ought to be pulled."
"Do be still, Johnny," said Eric, "it's no time for jokes. Uncle John,
what could he have meant?"
"I am totally in the dark," replied his uncle.
"I wish Froll would come back," murmured Johnny.
"I have it!" cried Eric, suddenly, rushing from the room, by the guard at
the door, and after Mr. Lacelle.
"Well," said Johnny, "I wish I had!"
Count D'Orsay's conscience was not quite easy in regard to the manner in
which he had persecuted the two friendless American boys. His suspicions
had been aroused merely by the fact that they were about to leave
Strasbourg; and the discovery of the missing articles in their possession
had seemed at the time to prove their guilt conclusively. But upon
reflection, the honest surprise expressed in little Johnny's eyes, and
Eric's look of proud, indignant disdain, haunted him with suggestions of
their innocence.
Might it not have been just possible that they did find the ring upon the
floor, and did not know of the money's concealment? But, then--how could
it be so? How could the ring and money have happened in their room, and
for what purposes? Yet, again, if they did intend to steal, they had given
up everything. He had lost nothing; and the French government would not
thank him for quarrelling with an American just at that time. He would
send word to the landlord to dismiss the policeman and let the boys have
their liberty.
Just as this conclusion was reached, there came a tap at the door, and the
waiter entered with Mr. Lacelle's card, followed closely by Mr. Lacelle.
Count D'Orsay expressed great pleasure at the unexpected visit; but Mr.
Lacelle, waiving all ceremony, explained that he had come to clear his
dear American friends from the disgraceful charge against them.
He then spoke rapidly, in French, to the count, who appeared at first
surprised, then credulous, then convinced.
With sincere regret, he asked to be allowed to apologize at once, and
begged Mr. Lacelle to tell him of some way in which he could make some
amends for his unjust accusation.
"I wish you to be thoroughly convinced," said Mr. Lacelle. "Place the
articles upon the table, open the window, and conceal yourself behind the
curtain."
Mr. Lacelle did so.
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[2] "To a good cat, a good rat!"