" He turned to her.

"Now listen to me," he said. "Go down and open the door for him."

"What, you want me to?" said Victoire, in a shaky voice.

"Yes, I do. Listen to me carefully. When you have opened the door, slip
out of it and watch the house. Don't go too far from it. Look out for
Sonia. You'll see her coming. Stop her from entering, Victoire--stop
her from entering." He spoke coolly, but his voice shook on the last
words.

"But if Guerchard arrests me?" said Victoire.

"He won't. When he comes in, stand behind the door. He will be too
eager to get to me to stop for you. Besides, for him you don't count in
the game. Once you're out of the house, I'll hold him here for--for
half an hour. That will leave a margin. Sonia will hurry here. She
should be here in twelve minutes. Get her away to the house at Passy.
If I don't come keep her there; she's to live with you. But I shall
come."

As he spoke he was pushing her towards the door.

The bell rang again. They were at the top of the stairs.

"And suppose he does arrest me?" said Victoire breathlessly.

"Never mind, you must go all the same," said Lupin. "Don't give up
hope--trust to me. Go--go--for my sake."

"I'm going, dearie," said Victoire; and she went down the stairs
steadily, with a brave air.

He watched her half-way down the flight; then he muttered:

"If only she gets to Sonia in time."

He turned, went into the smoking-room, and shut the door. He sat
quietly down in an easy chair, lighted a cigarette, and took up a
paper. He heard the noise of the traffic in the street grow louder as
the front door was opened. There was a pause; then he heard the door
bang. There was the sound of a hasty footstep on the stairs; the door
flew open, and Guerchard bounced into the room.

He stopped short in front of the door at the sight of Lupin, quietly
reading, smoking at his ease. He had expected to find the bird flown.
He stood still, hesitating, shuffling his feet--all his doubts had
returned; and Lupin smiled at him over the lowered paper.

Guerchard pulled himself together by a violent effort, and said
jerkily, "Good-morning, Lupin."

"Good-morning, M. Guerchard," said Lupin, with an ambiguous smile and
all the air of the Duke of Charmerace.

"You were expecting me? ... I hope I haven't kept you waiting," said
Guerchard, with an air of bravado.

"No, thank you: the time has passed quite quickly. I have so much to do
in the morning always," said L