oat, and pulled out two small steel pistols, of the sort called "knock-me-downs." Then he presented them to Marius, saying rapidly, in a curt tone:--
"Take these.
Go home.
Hide in your chamber, so that you may be supposed to have gone out.
They are loaded.
Each one carries two balls.
You will keep watch; there is a hole in the wall, as you have informed me.
These men will come.
Leave them to their own devices for a time.
When you think matters have reached a crisis, and that it is time to put a stop to them, fire a shot. Not too soon.
The rest concerns me.
A shot into the ceiling, the air, no matter where.
Above all things, not too soon.
Wait until they begin to put their project into execution; you are a lawyer; you know the proper point."
Marius took the pistols and put them in the side pocket of his coat.
"That makes a lump that can be seen," said the inspector. "Put them in your trousers pocket."
Marius hid the pistols in his trousers pockets.
"Now," pursued the inspector, "there is not a minute more to be lost by any one.
What time is it?
Half-past two.
Seven o''clock is the hour?"
"Six o''clock," answered Marius.
"I have plenty of time," said the inspector, "but no more than enough. Don''t forget anything that I have said to you.
Bang.
A pistol shot."