"They chose me for it because I am such a good climber, and as thin
and supple as a snake; there are not many holes that I cannot manage to
crawl through."
"And why were you to open my door, Chiquita? so that thieves could come
in and steal what few things I have here? There is nothing of value
among them, I assure you."
"Oh, no!" Chiquita replied disdainfully, "it was to let the men in who
were to carry you off."
"My God! I am lost!" cried poor Isabelle, wringing her hands in despair.
"Not at all," said Chiquita, "and you need not be so frightened. I shall
just leave the bolt as it is, and they would not dare to force the door;
it would make too much noise, and they would be caught at it; they're
not so silly as that, never fear."
"But I should have shrieked at the top of my voice, and clung to the
bedstead with all my might, if they had tried to take me," exclaimed
Isabelle excitedly, "so that I would have been heard by the people in
the neighbouring rooms, and I'm sure they would have come to my rescue."
"A good gag will stifle any shrieks," said Chiquita sententiously, with
a lofty contempt for Isabelle's ignorance that was very amusing, "and a
blanket rolled tightly about the body prevents any movements; that is
an easy matter you see.
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