.. running like a thief.... In about two seconds I saw the
slip I had made. It did not take me longer; but that was too
long--Guerchard's men were on my track ... I was done for."

"Then Guerchard understood--he recognized you?" said Victoire anxiously.

"As soon as the first paralysis had passed, Guerchard dared to see
clearly ... to see the truth," said Lupin. "And then it was a chase.
There were ten--fifteen of them on my heels. Out of breath--grunting,
furious--a mob--a regular mob. I had passed the night before in a
motor-car. I was dead beat. In fact, I was done for before I started
... and they were gaining ground all the time."

"Why didn't you hide?" said Victoire.

"For a long while they were too close. They must have been within five
feet of me. I was done. Then I was crossing one of the bridges. ...
There was the Seine ... handy ... I made up my mind that, rather than
be taken, I'd make an end of it ... I'd throw myself over."

"Good Lord!--and then?" cried Victoire.

"Then I had a revulsion of feeling. At any rate, I'd stick it out to
the end. I gave myself another minute... one more minute--the last, and
I had my revolver on me... but during that minute I put forth every
ounce of strength I had left ... I began to gain ground ... I had them
pretty well strung out already ... they were blown too. The knowledge
gave me back my courage, and I plugged on ... my feet did not feel so
much as though they were made of lead. I began to run away from them
... they were dropping behind ... all of them but one ... he stuck to
me. We went at a jog-trot, a slow jog-trot, for I don't know how long.
Then we dropped to a walk--we could run no more; and on we went. My
strength and wind began to come back. I suppose my pursuer's did too;
for exactly what I expected happened. He gave a yell and dashed for me.
I was ready for him. I pretended to start running, and when he was
within three yards of me I dropped on one knee, caught his ankles, and
chucked him over my head. I don't know whether he broke his neck or
not. I hope he did."

"Splendid!" said Victoire. "Splendid!"

"Well, there I was, outside Paris, and I'm hanged if I know where. I
went on half a mile, and then I rested. Oh, how sleepy I was! I would
have given a hundred thousand francs for an hour's sleep--cheerfully.
But I dared not let myself sleep. I had to get back here unseen. There
were you and Sonia."

"Sonia? Another woman?" cried Victoire. "Oh, it'