Towards the end of my time here we began to hear talk of a maimed Frenchman who had been seen here and there.

But no one knew then that he had foregathered with Niclaus and lived in his prau.

I daresay he put Niclaus up to a thing or two.
Anyhow, it was a partnership.

Niclaus was somewhat afraid of the Frenchman on account of his tempers, which were awful.

He looked then like a devil; but a man without hands, unable to load or handle a weapon, can at best go for one only with his teeth.