the Duke. "Be an ass.... Make yourself the
laughing-stock of Paris ... call your coppers in. Have you a proof--one
single proof? Not one."

"Oh, I shall get them," howled Guerchard, beside himself.

"I think you may," said the Duke coolly. "And you might be able to
arrest me next week ... the day after to-morrow perhaps ... perhaps
never ... but not to-night, that's certain."

"Oh, if only somebody could hear you!" gasped Guerchard.

"Now, don't excite yourself," said the Duke. "That won't produce any
proofs for you.... The fact is, M. Formery told you the truth when he
said that, when it is a case of Lupin, you lose your head. Ah, that
Formery--there is an intelligent man if you like."

"At all events, the coronet is safe ... to-night--"

"Wait, my good chap ... wait," said the Duke slowly; and then he
snapped out: "Do you know what's behind that door?" and he flung out
his hand towards the door of the inner drawing-room, with a mysterious,
sinister air.

"What?" cried Guerchard; and he whipped round and faced the door, with
his eyes starting out of his head.

"Get out, you funk!" said the Duke, with a great laugh.

"Hang you!" said Guerchard shrilly.

"I said that you were going to be absolutely pitiable," said the Duke,
and he laughed again cruelly.

"Oh, go on talking, do!" cried Guerchard, mopping his forehead.

"Absolutely pitiable," said the Duke, with a cold, disquieting
certainty. "As the hand of that clock moves nearer and nearer midnight,
you will grow more and more terrified." He paused, and then shouted
violently, "Attention!"

Guerchard jumped; and then he swore.

"Your nerves are on edge," said the Duke, laughing.

"Joker!" snarled Guerchard.

"Oh, you're as brave as the next man. But who can stand the anguish of
the unknown thing which is bound to happen? ... I'm right. You feel it,
you're sure of it. At the end of these few fixed minutes an inevitable,
fated event must happen. Don't shrug your shoulders, man; you're green
with fear."

The Duke was no longer a smiling, cynical dandy. There emanated from
him an impression of vivid, terrible force. His voice had deepened. It
thrilled with a consciousness of irresistible power; it was
overwhelming, paralyzing. His eyes were terrible.

"My men are outside ... I'm armed," stammered Guerchard.

"Child! Bear in mind ... bear in mind that it is always when you have
foreseen everything, arranged everything, made every combination ...
bea