At these words of his General, Father Caboccini again made the sign of the cross, as if he had seen a fiend.
"Oh, my God!" cried Samuel; "Thou hast quite abandoned this man.With what a calm look he contemplates his victims!"
"Come, sir!" said Rodin, with a horrid smile; "this is a natural waxwork exhibition, that is all.My calmness proves my innocence--and we had best come at once to business.I have an appointment at two o'clock.So let us carry down this casket."
He advanced towards the marble slab.Seized with indignation and horror, Samuel threw himself before him, and, pressing with all his might on a knob in the lid of the casket--a knob which yielded to the pressure--he exclaimed: "Since your infernal soul is incapable of remorse, it may perhaps be shaken by disappointed avarice."
"What does he say?" cried Rodin."What is he doing?"
"Look!" said Samuel, in his turn assuming an air of savage triumph."I told you, that the spoils of your victims should escape your murderous hands."
Hardly had he uttered these words, before through the open-work of the iron casket rose a light cloud of smoke, and an odor as of burnt paper spread itself through the room.Rodin understood it instantly."Fire!"