"Yes, gentlemen as we are, you and I must do it, Bigot. Zounds! I
learned to dig and delve when I was a stripling at Charlebourg, and
in the trenches at Louisbourg, and I have not yet forgotten the
knack of it! But where to get spades, Bigot; you are master here
and ought to know."
"I, how should I know? It is terrible, Cadet, to bury her as if we
had murdered her! Is there no other way?"
"None. We are in a cahot and must get our cariole out of it as best
we can! I see plainly we two shall be taxed with this murder,
Bigot, if we let it be discovered! Besides, utter ruin awaits you
from La Pompadour if she finds out you ever had this girl at
Beaumanoir in keeping. Come! time for parley is past; where shall
we find spades? We must to work, Bigot!"
A sudden thought lighted up the eyes of the Intendant, who saw the
force of Cadet's suggestion, strange and repulsive as it was. "I
think I know," said he; "the gardeners keep their tools in the old
tower, and we can get there by the secret passage and return."
"Bravo!" exclaimed Cadet, encouragingly, "come, show the way, and we
will get the tools in a trice! I always heard there was a private
way underground to the old tower.
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