"Listen, brother," he said.

"You must render me this service.

Go and tell them the truth--that I am here, slightly injured, and do not wish them to come to see me, for fear lest somebody should follow them and discover my retreat.

After the note I wrote them last evening they would end by getting anxious if I did not send them some news." Then, yielding to the one worry which, since the previous night, had disturbed his clear, frank glance, he added: "Just feel in the right-hand pocket of my waistcoat; you will find a little key there.
Good! that's it.

Now you must give it to Madame Leroi, my mother-in-law, and tell her that if any misfortune should happen to me, she is to do what is understood between us.