We had no idea of time. We did not know if we had been there two days or six days. Opinions differed. We spoke no more of our deliverance. Death was in our hearts.
"Say what you like, professor," cried Bergounhoux; "you have calculated how long it will take them to pump out the water, but they'll never be in time to save us. We shall die of hunger or suffocation..."
"Have patience," answered the professor. "I know how long we can live without food and I have made my calculations. They will do it in time."
At this moment big Comperou burnt into sobs.
"The good Lord is punishing me," he cried, "and I repent! I repent! If I get out of here I swear to atone for the wrong I have done, and if I don't get out you boys will make amends for me. You know Rouquette, who was sentenced for five years for stealing a watch from Mother Vidal?... I was the thief! I took it! Its under my bed now... Oh..."
"Throw him in the water," cried both Pages and Bergounhoux.
"Do you want to appear, then, before the Lord with a crime on your conscience?" cried the professor; "let him repent!"
"I repent! I repent," wailed Comperou, more feebly than a child, in spite of his great strength.
"To the water! To the water!" cried Pages and Bergounhoux, trying to get at the sinner, who was crouching behind the professor.
