Itwas drowned by a tramping of feet, and Moreau and
the inspector appearedat the door.
BryceCarter stared at Joyce; Joyce stared at the
tablecloth.
And the others who have vanished from the earth?
Except you two I have no friendsin Bordeaux.
Thus they stood staring at one another,and more
than ever Mr.
I borrow a cloak; and in a minute hewas back
again.
Ricardoand threw up his hands in
despair.
Itwas drowned by a tramping of feet, and Moreau and
the inspector appearedat the door.
Monsieur Le Juge, I beg of you, he
protested.
I was careful not to break in upon your
thoughts.
The same ingenious devicewas used upon your gate,
Monsieur de Mirandol, two nights ago. The Vicomte, however, was in no difficulty
about the reply. Ricardowas conscious of a thrill of excitement.
But the time has come, I amconvinced, for me to
exercise my authority. This is not acase of apaches in a cabaret, or a burglary in
the Champs Elysees. Yet toeveryone he seemed to hold the handle. You must have
passed it in the courtyard of the old chateau.
You must have passed it in the courtyard of the old
chateau.
But certainly, my friend, de Mirandol exclaimed,
rubbing the palms ofhis hands together.
Ricardo and I, he said, making his announcement
asdramatic as possible. Slowly there dawned upon Hanauds face a look of real
delight.
Besides, weare keeping the examining magistrate
waiting, and that is not at allseemly. Only one thing, my friend, Hanaud returned. I
was a little alarmed tosee so many unexpected visitors in my garden at so late an
hour. A man moved forward from theshrubs within the garden and opened the gate for
them.
Then theVicomte felt the palms of his hands and
wiped the perspiration away.