"What for, darling?"
"You'll see. I have a plan. Good–bye, mother. Have a good night's rest and pick up your strength. We may have a hard day before us."
Véronique followed her son's advice. The next morning, full of hope, she once more took the road to the cell. This time, All's Well, reverting to his instincts of independence, did not come with her.
"Keep quite still, mother," said François, in so low a whisper that she could scarcely hear him. "I am very closely watched; and I think there's some one walking up and down in the passage. However, my work is nearly done; the stones are all loosened. I shall have finished in two hours. Have you the ladder?"
"Yes."
"Remove the stones from the window . . . that will save time . . . for really I am frightened about Stéphane . . . . And be
