They compose as fine things here as they do anywhere in the--look there! That man came out of Palmyre's house; see how he staggered just then!" "Drunk," said Jean-Baptiste.
"No, he seems to be hurt.

He has been struck on the head.

Oho, I tell you, gentlemen, that same Palmyre is a wonderful animal! Do you see?
She not only defends herself and ejects the wretch, but she puts her mark upon him; she identifies him, ha, ha, ha! Look at the high art of the thing; she keeps his hat as a small souvenir and gives him a receipt for it on the back of his head.

Ah! but hasn't she taught him a lesson?
Why, gentlemen,--it is--if it isn't that sorcerer of an apothecary!" "What ?" exclaimed the other two; "well, well, but this is too good! Caught at last, ha, ha, ha, the saintly villain! Ah, ha, ha! Will not Honore be proud of him now?
_Ah! voila un joli Joseph!_ What did I tell you?
Didn't I _always_ tell you so ?" "But the beauty of it is, he is caught so cleverly.

No escape--no possible explanation.