ink I'd better have those
things handy in case I have to bolt."

He went into his bedroom and came back with the key of the safe and a
kit-bag. He opened the safe and took out the coronet, the real coronet
of the Princesse de Lamballe, and along with it a pocket-book with a
few papers in it. He set the pocket-book on the table, ready to put in
his coat-pocket when he should have dressed, and dropped the coronet
into the kit-bag.

"I'm glad I have that death certificate; it makes it much safer," he
said. "If ever they do nab me, I don't wish that rascal Guerchard to
accuse me of having murdered the Duke. It might prejudice me badly.
I've not murdered anybody yet."

"That comes of having a good heart," said Victoire proudly.

"Not even the Duke of Charmerace," said Charolais sadly. "And it would
have been so easy when he was ill--just one little draught. And he was
in such a perfect place--so out of the way--no doctors."

"You do have such disgusting ideas, Charolais," said Lupin, in a tone
of severe reproof.

"Instead of which you went and saved his life," said Charolais, in a
tone of deep discontent; and he went on clearing the table.

"I did, I did: I had grown quite fond of him," said Lupin, with a
meditative air. "For one thing, he was so very like one. I'm not sure
that he wasn't even better-looking."

"No; he was just like you," said Victoire, with decision. "Any one
would have said you were twin brothers."

"It gave me quite a shock the first time I saw his portrait," said
Lupin. "You remember, Charolais? It was three years ago, the day, or
rather the night, of the first Gournay-Martin burglary at Charmerace.
Do you remember?"

"Do I remember?" said Charolais. "It was I who pointed out the likeness
to you. I said, 'He's the very spit of you, master.' And you said,
'There's something to be done with that, Charolais.' And then off you
started for the ice and snow and found the Duke, and became his friend;
and then he went and died, not that you'd have helped him to, if he
hadn't."

"Poor Charmerace. He was indeed grand seigneur. With him a great name
was about to be extinguished.... Did I hesitate? ... No.... I continued
it," said Lupin.

He paused and looked at the clock. "A quarter to eight," he said,
hesitating. "Shall I telephone to Sonia, or shall I not? Oh, there's no
hurry; let the poor child sleep on. She must be worn out after that
night-journey and that cursed Guerchard's persecution yester